Skin Cancer Cases Are Out of Control in These 15 American States (No. 1 Will Shock You)

It’s one of the scariest words in the English language — cancer. If you’re lucky, you’ll go your whole life without being a cancer patient, but odds are you’ll be one of the millions of diagnoses that happen each year. Skin cancer is the most common form of the disease, and chances are you’ll never guess which American state has the highest rate of skin cancer cases.

The rate of cases here are per 100,000 people and include only melanoma diagnoses or deaths based on Centers for Disease Control data. We were surprised almost every step of the way, including when we reached Nos. 3 and 2 on the list, but No.1 is running.

13. Oregon (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 25.8

We know Oregon more for the craft beer scene, loose marijuana laws, and high home prices, but skin cancer is also an issue there. The state has one of the highest rates of diagnosis of any place in the country.

Next: Another unlikely state on our countdown.

13. North Dakota (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 25.8

Just like Oregon, you probably don’t associate North Dakota with skin cancer cases, but here we are. Nearly 26 people out of 100,000 receive a melanoma diagnosis, and that’s not even factoring in the other types of skin cancer you can develop.

Next: Wealth doesn’t impact cancer rates.

13. Maryland (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 25.8

Cancer doesn’t care about wealth or status, and Maryland is proof. The state has tons of millionaires, but it also has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in America. It had 1,733 new melanoma cases the last time the CDC reported its data.

Next: Let’s return to an area of the country we’ve already visited.

12. Washington

Rate of diagnosis: 26.1

Washington has a lot in common with its neighbor to the south, Oregon. They both have lots of craft breweries, legal marijuana, high home prices, and surprising numbers of skin cancer cases. Washington’s rate is slightly higher, though.

Next: A high rate of cases in this Midwest state.

11. Iowa

Rate of diagnosis: 26.5

Iowa’s 955 melanoma cases put it in the middle of the pack nationally, but its skin cancer rate is one of the highest in the U.S. Patients will have to pay to have their cancer treated, but on the flip side, Iowa is one of the least expensive places to live.

Next: Cancer is rampant in this state.

10. North Carolina

Rate of diagnosis: 26.8

North Carolina’s polluted environment contributes to a high incidence of lung cancers and other diseases, but it also has a ton of skin cancer cases. Both in number and rate, the Tar Heel State is one of the worst for melanoma and other skin cancers.

Next: This state’s trying to get the word out.

8. Kentucky (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 27.1

Like we mentioned earlier, most of the states on our list completely surprise us, including Kentucky. It has one of the highest rates of skin cancer cases in the U.S., but people there are trying to get the word out and offer tips for sun protection.

Next: Yet another public health problem for this state.

8. Georgia (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 27.1

Georgia and Kentucky both have the same rate of melanoma diagnoses, but skin cancer isn’t the only public health problem there. The state also has one of the highest diabetes rates in America, too.

Next: People here need to change their sun protection behavior.

6. Maine (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 28.0

If there are two things to remember about sun protection, they are that you should always wear sunscreen no matter what and that clouds don’t stop the sun’s harmful rays. People in Maine must not have read the memo, because it’s a hotbed for skin cancer. We’d say it’s time for residents to change their sun protection behavior.

Next: A double whammy

6. Idaho (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 28.0

The folks living in Idaho have it bad. Not only do they have one of the highest skin cancer rates in the country, but they also live in one of the worst states for decent health care. That’s an unfortunate double whammy.

Next: A place with two slivers of a silver lining.

5. Delaware

Rate of diagnosis: 29.5

Even though Delaware has one of the highest rates of skin cancer cases, there are two bits of a silver lining. First, its 346 melanoma diagnoses are one of the lowest figures in the country. That, and skin cancers such as melanoma aren’t among the cancers that don’t show symptoms, so they’re easy to spot and treat.

Next: A distinction this state probably doesn’t want.

3. Minnesota (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 31.6

Minnesota is the No. 1 state in the Midwest for melanoma cases, which is a distinction it probably doesn’t want. If you can believe it, things get worse for the Land of 10,000 Lakes. According to a report from the Minneapolis Post, the melanoma diagnosis and death rates are rising, not falling.

Next: Let’s head to another northern state.

3. New Hampshire (TIE)

Rate of diagnosis: 31.6

New Hampshire is very similar to Maine, a state we visited earlier on our list. It has a high Caucasian population, a group that tends to have the most skin cancer cases, especially white men over 50. Plus, the generally overcast skies might be luring people into a false sense of safety.

Next: A generally healthy state, except for skin cancer.

2. Vermont

Rate of diagnosis: 35.8

If you look at any factor aside from the number of skin cancer cases, you see Vermont is one of the most healthy states in America. Its rate is four points higher than its neighbor, New Hampshire, but it has a long way to go to be No. 1 on this list.

Next: Things are going the wrong way in the shocking No. 1 state.

1. Utah

Rate of diagnosis: 40.5

We don’t know about you, but we’re shocked seeing Utah in the No. 1 spot by such a wide margin. Utah may have some of the best places to live, but it’s lousy with its skin cancer cases, and things are getting worse. The rate of melanoma diagnoses doubled in 17 years to its current level, according to a report from Deseret News.

Next: A few tips for fighting skin cancer.

Prepare yourself to fight against skin cancer

• Knowing the risk factors improves your 50-50 shot at surviving melanoma.

In a scary bit of news, melanoma is one of the cancers with the highest mortality rates. If you’re diagnosed in the stage IIC level, it’s pretty much a 50-50 shot.

However, knowing the risk factors and seeing your doctor can help catch skin cancer early, thus improving your chances of a full recovery. And it should be common knowledge, but we’ll say it anyway: Wearing sunscreen year-round is the best way to limit cancer-causing sun damage your skin.

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