Louisiana averaged 130.4 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 people, including all stages from 2017 to 2021.
An average of 3,708 people in Louisiana will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to data analyzing 2017 to 2021 incidence rates from the National Cancer Institute. The U.S. averages a total of 258,398 cases of breast cancer per year.
Only 25 Louisiana parishes have higher rates of breast cancer per 100,000 people than the national average, which sits at 129.8 cases per 100,000 people.
Cameron parish averaged 188.7 cases per 100,000, St. James parish averaged 168.9 cases per 100,000, Natchitoches parish averaged 157.2 cases per 100,000, Claiborne parish averaged 155.4 cases per 100,000, St. Martin parish averaged 149.6 cases per 100,000, and St. Landry parish averaged 148.8 cases per 100,000.
In recent years, according to the American Cancer Society, incidence rates have increased nationally by 0.6% per year. Deaths related to breast cancer, however, have been decreasing steadily since 1989 — researchers believe this is due to advanced screening and increased awareness.
Caldwell, Concordia, Madison and Vernon parishes take the top spots in the state with incidence rates at less than 100 cases per 100,000 people.