Counties with the highest cancer rates in Massachusetts

Several factors contribute to cancer rates, from personal habits and genetics to air pollution or groundwater quality in a given area. People experiencing social, economic, or environmental disadvantages are disproportionately affected by high cancer rates in certain regions—including access or barriers to early screening and care.

Cancer rates also fluctuate by jobs: Higher rates of cancer can be found among meat industry and rubber manufacturing workers, and farmers.

Stacker compiled the counties with the highest cancer rates in Massachusetts using data from the CDC. Keep reading to see where in your state cancer cases are the most common.

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#14. Suffolk County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 399.3
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 407.4

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#13. Hampshire County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 499.5
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 405.0

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#12. Middlesex County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 504.7
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 425.0

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#11. Hampden County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 549.8
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 435.5

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#10. Worcester County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 579.4
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 468.6

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#9. Essex County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 581.6
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 451.5

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#8. Norfolk County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 591.4
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 461.0

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#7. Bristol County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 609.4
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 473.1

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#6. Nantucket County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 626.1
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 523.7

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#5. Franklin County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 638.6
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 412.1

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#4. Plymouth County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 653.9
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 483.1

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#3. Berkshire County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 742.3
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 462.6

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#2. Dukes County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 790.6
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 478.6

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#1. Barnstable County

- Cancer rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 926.2
- Age-adjusted rate per 100,000, 2016-2020: 482.8