Cape Cod Skin Cancer Rates Among Highest In U.S.: Report

BARNSTABLE, MA – The Cape has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the country, according to a recently released report from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Health of America report lists the Barnstable-Yarmouth area third on its list of highest skin cancer rates, tied with Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, FL at 8.6 percent.

According to the report, nearly 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer daily, making it the most common cancer nationwide. Blue Cross Blue Shield estimates that nine million privately insured people in the U.S. are living with a skin cancer diagnosis.

To compile its list of skin cancer prevalence, Blue Cross Blue Shield used medical claims data from the BCBS Health Index, which compiles data from over 41 million BCBS customers. Click here to read more about the methodology.

Based on the findings, the areas with the highest skin cancer rates are:

• Sarasota-Bradenton, FL (10.0 percent)
• Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, FL (9.5 percent)
• West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL (9.5 percent)
• Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA ( 8.6 percent)
• Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, FL (8.6 percent)

The cities with the lowest rates are:

• Laredo, TX (1.1 percent)
• Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX (1.4 percent)
• El Paso, TX (1.4 percent)
• Mcallen-Edinburg-Mission, TX (1.4 percent)
• Honolulu, HI (1.5 percent)

Read the full report.

Image via Shutterstock