It is estimated that about 20% of all cancers and 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States are attributable to smoking. The rate of people who currently smoke is higher in our region (17.6%) compared to the United States (14.4%).

People living in poverty are more likely to die from cancer.  While our region has a lower poverty rate (9.7%) compared to the United States (11.6%), rates vary by county. 

Although cancer can be diagnosed at any age, cancer risk increases substantially in older adults, especially those over 60 years old. Our region has an older median population (43.1 years) compared to the United States, which has a median age of 38.8 years. 

Compared to those of normal weight, obese and overweight individuals are at increased risk for cancer. Although our region has a lower obesity rate (29.8%) than the United States (33.0%), rates vary by county. 

Sources: Age and poverty - 2020 US Census Data, Smoking and obesity - US CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2021

The percent of eligible adults with a history of smoking who met the recommended guidelines for lung cancer screening was only 26% in Vermont; rates were not available for the northern New York counties. 

The percent of eligible adults who met the recommended colorectal cancer screening guidelines was lower for all counties in our region compared to the US rate of 72.8%. 

The percent of eligible people who met the recommended cervical cancer screening guidelines was higher for all counties in our region compared to the US rate of 78.0%. 

The percent of eligible people who received the recommended mammogram for breast cancer screening fell below the US rate of 78.2% for 19 of the 20 counties in our region. 

Source: US CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2020

Data Source: SEER and NPCR Cancer Registries