In the United States, cancer is a significant public health issue, and Maine has one of the highest rates of cancer cases in the country. According to the Maine Cancer Registry, there were approximately 10,630 new cases of cancer diagnosed in the state in 2022. Out of these instances, 3,730 were lung cancer, 1,900 were prostate cancer, and 1,430 were breast cancer.
Finding the city in Maine with the highest cancer rates
Waterville is the city in Maine with the highest cancer incidence rate, according to the most recent data from the Maine Cancer Registry. In 2022, the number of cancer cases in Waterville was 657.6 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the statewide average of 573.3 per 100,000 people.
These are the cities in the state of Maine that have high cancer rates.
| City | Cancer Incidence Rate per 100,000 People | Leading Cancer Types | Potential Contributing Factors |
| Waterville | 657.6 | Lung, prostate, breast | Smoking, obesity, environmental toxins |
| Bangor | 597.2 | Lung, prostate, colon | Smoking, obesity, occupational exposure |
| Lewiston | 592.1 | Lung, breast, prostate | Smoking, obesity, socioeconomic factors |
| Augusta | 585.2 | Lung, prostate, colon | Smoking, obesity, exposure to environmental pollutants |
| Portland | 571.3 | Lung, breast, colon | Smoking, obesity, lifestyle factors |
Reasons for the High Incidence of Cancer
There are several other variables that could be responsible for the high cancer rates in Waterville. These are:
- Smoking: In the United States, smoking is the number one cause of preventable death and is also a significant risk factor for a variety of cancers. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that the smoking rate in Waterville is greater than the average smoking rate for the state of Maine.
- Obesity: Obesity is a risk factor for a number of different types of cancer, including lung, breast, and colon cancer. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the obesity rate in Waterville is greater than the average for the entire state.
- Exposure to environmental toxins: Waterville has a number of industrial sites, which may produce environmental chemicals that could raise the risk of cancer.
Initiatives to Lower Cancer Rates
In Waterville and across the state of Maine, there are a number of initiatives now being implemented to lower the incidence of cancer. These are:
- services to help people stop smoking: The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides a variety of services to assist individuals in quitting smoking.
- Healthy weight management programs: The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention offers a variety of programs to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Environmental protection programs: The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is in charge of safeguarding the environment and minimizing exposure to harmful substances in the environment.
Final Thoughts
In Maine, cancer is a significant public health issue, and Waterville has the highest rate of cancer cases in the state. There are several reasons that could explain the high cancer rates in Waterville, but there are also some initiatives in progress to help lower these rates. We can make a meaningful impact in the battle against cancer by working together.
Maine’s City Has the Highest Cancer Rates in the State(Website)