What does this measure?
The age-adjusted rate of all new cancers diagnosed per 10,000 residents, averaged over three years.
Why is this important?
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and the second highest cause of death in Pennsylvania behind diseases of the heart. High incidence rates can indicate particularly high rates of cancer, environmental or behavior risks of cancers, or better diagnosis of cancers.
How does our county compare?
In 2019-21, Lancaster County's cancer incidence rate was 42 per 10,000 residents, slightly lower than the state, with 43 per 10,000. The number of new cancers diagnosed in 2019-21 was 9,100 in Lancaster and 224,400 in the state.
Lancaster County's cancer incidence rate in 2019-21 was slightly lower than most surrounding counties, with the exception of Chester and Cumberland counties (at 38 and 41 per 10,000, respectively).
Notes about the data
Rates have been adjusted for differences in age among the geographies. These data were provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions.
| 2006-08 | 2007-09 | 2008-10 | 2009-11 | 2010-12 | 2011-13 | 2012-14 | 2013-15 | 2014-16 | 2015-17 | 2016-18 | 2017-19 | 2018-20 | 2019-21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 48 | 48 | 47 | 47 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 |
| Lancaster County | 47 | 47 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 |
| Berks County | 49 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 47 | 46 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 44 | 45 |
| Chester County | 51 | 51 | 50 | 49 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 44 | 43 | 39 | 38 |
| Cumberland County | 44 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 46 | 44 | 43 | 43 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 41 | 41 |
| Dauphin County | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 45 | 45 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 43 |
| Lebanon County | 48 | 47 | 47 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 45 | 46 | 46 | 43 | 42 | 42 | 43 |
| York County | 50 | 49 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 46 | 45 | 45 |
Notes: Rate per 10,000 residents. Numbers are age-adjusted.
| 2006-08 | 2007-09 | 2008-10 | 2009-11 | 2010-12 | 2011-13 | 2012-14 | 2013-15 | 2014-16 | 2015-17 | 2016-18 | 2017-19 | 2018-20 | 2019-21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 221,194 | 222,931 | 223,398 | 225,902 | 225,478 | 227,163 | 226,546 | 230,368 | 232,781 | 234,438 | 233,438 | 232,403 | 225,631 | 224,409 |
| Lancaster County | 7,877 | 7,955 | 7,902 | 8,020 | 8,062 | 8,288 | 8,314 | 8,527 | 8,856 | 9,175 | 9,279 | 9,271 | 9,059 | 9,076 |
| Berks County | 6,610 | 6,558 | 6,609 | 6,811 | 6,801 | 6,960 | 6,871 | 7,075 | 7,074 | 7,353 | 7,353 | 7,445 | 7,227 | 7,411 |
| Chester County | 7,657 | 7,881 | 7,913 | 8,127 | 7,988 | 8,139 | 8,197 | 8,506 | 8,632 | 8,582 | 8,480 | 8,297 | 7,815 | 7,747 |
| Cumberland County | 3,516 | 3,725 | 3,962 | 4,104 | 4,028 | 3,975 | 3,950 | 3,995 | 4,048 | 4,110 | 4,155 | 4,231 | 4,149 | 4,213 |
| Dauphin County | 4,027 | 4,023 | 4,145 | 4,284 | 4,310 | 4,346 | 4,382 | 4,575 | 4,659 | 4,698 | 4,589 | 4,654 | 4,581 | 4,720 |
| Lebanon County | 2,247 | 2,293 | 2,359 | 2,411 | 2,455 | 2,418 | 2,391 | 2,444 | 2,532 | 2,536 | 2,478 | 2,429 | 2,468 | 2,518 |
| York County | 7,082 | 7,058 | 7,086 | 7,306 | 7,418 | 7,519 | 7,449 | 7,727 | 7,906 | 7,926 | 7,942 | 8,016 | 8,023 | 8,141 |
Notes: These data were provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions.
