Cancer Surveillance
Cancer Surveillance efforts at the Cancer Institute involve examining and reporting the local incidence, distribution, mortality and control of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Results are used by the Cancer Institute to target education programs designed to prevent or reduce death and disability from cancer in this community.
Each year, the Cancer Institute compiles a Cancer Surveillance Report using data from the organization's Regional Cancer Registry, the National Cancer Database, and the Bureau of Health Statistics and Research of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Characterized in this report are cancer incidence and mortality in Northeastern Pennsylvania relative to the United States for the 23 most common cancer sites. To view the latest report, click here.
Click here to read : An examination of colorectal cancer among young adults in NEPA article.
Past Cancer Surveillance Reports:
2014-2018 Data
2013-2017 Data
2012-2016 Data
2011-2015 Data
2010-2014 Data
2009-2013 Data
2008-2102 Data
2007-2011 Data
2006-2010 Data
2005-2009 Data
2004- 2008 Data
2003-2007 Data
Local Cancer Statistics
Please note: While the information referenced below can provide an understanding of the epidemiology of cancer in our region, effective and appropriate interpretation of the data may require more detailed background on the nature, source(s), and validity of the statistics to allow for proper interpretation.
An estimated 10,500 individuals are diagnosed with cancer each year in the 10 County area defined as Northeastern Pennsylvania which includes Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties.
The most commonly diagnosed cancer sites in Northeast Pennsylvania include (starting with the most common) lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, over 61,500 individuals are living with cancer.
To view more local cancer statistics, click on the links below.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health
These reports use data provided by the Bureau of Health Statistics and Research, Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations or conclusions.
For additional information on local cancer statistics, please contact the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute toll free in Pennsylvania at (570) 904-8808.
LOCAL CANCER STATISTICS BY CANCER SITE
Cancers of the lung and bronchus are the most frequently diagnosed cancers in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The incidence rate lung and bronchus cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania is 23 percent higher than the average US rate: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 county area, 1,480 cases of lung and bronchus cancer are diagnosed and 905 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancer of the female breast is not statistically different from the average US rate for this cancer site.
In our 10 County area, 1,388 cases of breast cancer (female) are diagnosed and 252 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancer of the prostate is 4 percent lower than the average US rate for this cancer site: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 county area, 1,218 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed and 166 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancers of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) is 7 percent higher than the average US rate for this cancer site: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 county area, 884 cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed and 324 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancer of the urinary bladder is 33 percent higher than the average US rate for this cancer site: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 County area, 578 cases of cancer of the urinary bladder are diagnosed and 121 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for melanoma of the skin is not statistically different from the average US rate for this cancer site.
In our 10 county area, 456 cases of melanoma are diagnosed and 59 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is not statistically different from the average US rate for this cancer site.
In our 10 county area, 432 cases of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma are diagnosed and 130 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancer of the body of the uterus (womb) is 37 percent higher than the average US rate for this cancer site: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 county area, 426 cases of uterine cancer are diagnosed and 79 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancer of the kidney is 6 percent higher than the average US rate for this cancer site: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 county area, 402 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed and 80 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancers of the thyroid gland is 38 percent higher than the average US rate for this cancer site: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 county area, 355 cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed and 14 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for leukemia (all types combined) is not statistically different from the average US rate for this cancer site.
In our 10 county area, 309 cases of leukemia are diagnosed and 148 deaths occur each year.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the incidence rate for cancer of the pancreas is 11 percent higher than the average US rate for this cancer site: a statistically significant difference.
In our 10 county area, 342 cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed and 271 deaths occur each year.
LOCAL CANCER STATISTICS BY COUNTY
Each year, 445 residents of Carbon County are diagnosed with cancer and about 163 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Carbon County are:
Lung Cancer (62 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (55 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (53 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (38 cases per year) and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (26 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 1,374 residents of Lackawanna County are diagnosed with cancer and about 542 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Lackawanna County are:
Lung Cancer (209 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (197 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (124 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (111 cases per year) and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (86 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 2,184 residents of Lehigh County are diagnosed with cancer and about 713 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Lehigh County are:
Breast Cancer (female) (305 cases per year),
Lung Cancer (287 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (268 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (168 cases per year) and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (113 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 2,211 residents of Luzerne County are diagnosed with cancer and about 787 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Luzerne County are:
Lung Cancer (332 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (274 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (271 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (206 cases per year), and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (117 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 1,058 residents of Monroe County are diagnosed with cancer and about 362 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Monroe County are:
Lung Cancer (148 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (145 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (126 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (89 cases per year) and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (54 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 2,046 residents of Northampton County are diagnosed with cancer and about 681 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Northampton County are:
Breast Cancer (female) (268 cases per year),
Lung Cancer (261 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (257 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (151 cases per year) and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (110 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 370 residents of Pike County are diagnosed with cancer and about 126 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Pike County are:
Lung Cancer (59 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (50 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (42 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (29 cases per year) and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (20 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 282 residents of Susquehanna County are diagnosed with cancer and about 113 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Susquehanna County are:
Lung Cancer (39 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (36 cases per year)
Prostate Cancer (34 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (26 cases per year), and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (17 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 340 residents of Wayne County are diagnosed with cancer and about 133 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Wayne County are:
Lung Cancer (54 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (38 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (35 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (34 cases per year) and
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (25 cases per year).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Each year, 188 residents of Wyoming County are diagnosed with cancer and about 73 die from the disease.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Wyoming County are:
Lung Cancer (30 cases per year),
Prostate Cancer (22 cases per year),
Breast Cancer (female) (21 cases per year),
Colorectal Cancer (18 cases per year) and
Melanoma (11 cases per year each).
Please note: The size and age of the population of each county will affect the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year.