Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
How to use this page
United States Value:
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding skin cancer)
Additional Measures:
Explore Population Data:
Appears In:
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding skin cancer)
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding skin cancer)
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding skin cancer)
CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding skin cancer)
CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
US Value: 2.3%
Top State(s): Illinois: 1.3%
Bottom State(s): West Virginia: 5.0%
Definition: Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding skin cancer)
Data Source and Years: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2019-2020
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. The rate of new cancer is higher among men while the prevalence of cancer is higher in females compared with males. Among women, breast cancer is the most common type, accounting for 30% of cases; however, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths.
The biggest risk factor for cancer is advancing age. Other cancer risks include tobacco use, environmental carcinogens, genetic factors and viral and bacterial infections.
According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2021 report, there will be a reduction in new cancer diagnoses due to a decrease in screening and preventive care visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is expected to lead to an increase in cancer deaths over time due to delays in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
In 2020, the national cost of cancer care was projected to be $208.9 billion. Assuming the number of newly diagnosed people and the rate of survival remain constant, costs are expected to increase by nearly 34% by 2030.
The prevalence of cancer is higher among:
While there is no universal cure, some cancers can be prevented through various means including:
Information on specific screening, counseling and prevention recommendations for cancer are available from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to cancer, including reducing the overall cancer death rate and increasing the proportion of women who are screened for cervical cancer.
American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts & Figures 2021.” Atlanta, GA, 2021. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2021/cancer-facts-and-figures-2021.pdf.
Mariotto, Angela B., Lindsey Enewold, Jingxuan Zhao, Christopher A. Zeruto, and K. Robin Yabroff. “Medical Care Costs Associated with Cancer Survivorship in the United States.” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 29, no. 7 (July 2020): 1304–12. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-1534.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.