Cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute published a report on the incidence, mortality and survival for common cancers. This May 2011 report, covering the years 2003-2007, uses data from the Regional Cancer Registry, the National Cancer Database, and the Bureau of Health Statistics and Research of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Some findings:

• Five most commonly diagnosed cancer sites in Northeastern Pennsylvania were bronchus and lung; colon and rectum; breast; prostate; and urinary bladder.



• Cancer incidence was significantly elevated in Northeastern Pennsylvania at 11 cancer sites for both sexes (unless otherwise noted): bronchus and lung; larynx; urinary bladder; kidney; esophagus; Hodgkin's lymphoma; colon and rectum; ovary (female) uterus(female); cervix (female); and thyroid.



• Cancer incidence was significantly decreased in Northeastern Pennsylvania at five sites for both sexes (unless otherwise noted): breast (female); prostate (male); melanoma; liver; and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.



• The cancer sites that resulted in the highest number of deaths in Northeastern Pennsylvania were (starting with the highest): bronchus and lung; colon and rectum; breast; pancreas; and prostate.



• Cancer mortality in Northeastern Pennsylvania was significantly elevated at six sites for both sexes (unless otherwise noted): colon and rectum; esophagus; larynx; Hodgkin's lymphoma; ovary (female); uterus (female).



• Cancer mortality in Northeastern Pennsylvania was significantly decrease at three sites for both sexes: bronchus and lung; multiple myeloma; and liver.

These regional findings should help all those involved in trying to ease the burden of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The complete report is available on the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute's web site.