United States: Staten Island has consistently held the dubious distinction of having the highest overall cancer incidence rate in New York City for over two decades, with one of its prevalent cancers projected to claim over 125,000 American lives in 2024. 

Cancer Incidence Analysis 

The Staten Island Advance/SILive.com recently scrutinized data from the New York State Cancer Registry to ascertain the most prevalent cancers within the borough. This dataset encapsulates the annual incidence rate per 100,000 individuals for 25 cancer types from 2017 through 2021, the latest five-year period available. 

Lung and bronchus cancers, amalgamated for data purposes, emerge as among the most frequent cancers in Staten Island, across New York City, and statewide, mirroring national trends. 

The American Cancer Society forecasts 125,070 fatalities from lung cancer across the United States in 2024, marking it as the leading cause of cancer mortality. 

“Lung cancer remains the predominant cause of cancer death in the U.S., responsible for about one in five cancer fatalities. Annually, lung cancer deaths surpass those from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined,” according to the American Cancer Society. 

Common Cancers in Staten Island 

Female Breast Cancer 

Female breast cancer tops the list with an incidence rate of 138.9 cases per 100,000 annually, 10.8% higher than New York City’s rate of 125.4 and 3.6% above the New York state rate of 134.1. This ranking aligns with national trends, as the National Cancer Institute anticipates over 313,000 new cases in 2024, the highest for any cancer type. 

Prostate Cancer 

Prostate cancer follows with a rate of 120.4 cases per 100,000 annually, 3% lower than the New York City rate of 124.1 and 8.2% below the New York state rate of 131.2. Notably, this is the only cancer among the top six in Staten Island, where the local rate falls below both city and state averages. 

Lung and Bronchus Cancer 

Lung and bronchus cancers rank third with an incidence rate of 61.4 cases per 100,000 annually, 46.2% higher than New York City’s rate of 42.0 and 14.8% above the New York state rate of 53.5. Staten Island’s elevated rates are partly attributed to its high smoking prevalence. 

As of 2022, 11.9% of Staten Island adults smoked, the highest rate among New York City’s boroughs, followed by the Bronx (11.7%), Brooklyn (9.2%), Manhattan (8.3%), and Queens (6.2%). 

Colorectal Cancers 

Colorectal cancers, encompassing colon and rectal cancers, have the fourth-highest incidence with 40.4 cases per 100,000 annually, 17.8% higher than New York City’s rate of 34.3 and 13.2% above the New York state rate of 35.7. 

Corpus and Uterus, NOS 

Corpus and uterus, not otherwise specified (NOS), the most diagnosed female genital system cancer, ranks fifth with an incidence rate of 34.9 cases per 100,000 annually, 15.9% higher than New York City’s rate of 30.1 and 13.3% above the New York state rate of 30.8. 

Thyroid Cancer 

Thyroid cancer stands sixth with an incidence rate of 29.4 cases per 100,000 annually, 11.4% higher than New York City’s rate of 26.4 and 15.3% above the New York state rate of 25.5. A 2019 report by the New York State Department of Health analyzed these elevated rates, attributing them partly to increased screenings and radiation exposure. 

The governor’s study noted an uptick in thyroid cancer screenings in Staten Island, including free events hosted by elected officials. However, the U.S. Preventative Services Taskforce advises against thyroid screenings in asymptomatic adults, citing that the harms outweigh the benefits. 

Staten Island’s persistent high cancer rates underscore the need for continued research and public health initiatives to address this pressing issue.