Although the rates are falling, Johnson County ranks 14th among Indiana counties in new cancer cases.

According to the National Cancer Institute, our community’s five-year cancer rate saw a 2.1 percent decline. That is slightly lower than the 1.7 percent decline throughout Indiana.

Johnson County averaged 630 new cases of cancer per year from 2009 to 2013, which was the latest year of statistical information compiled by NCI.

Here are the most prevalent types of cancer in Johnson County (based on new cases per year during the five-year reporting period), according to Healthy Communities Institute:

1. Breast Cancer

New Cases
Johnson County average per 100,000 women: 117.5
Previous reporting period: 114
Indiana average: 120
National average: 123.3

Mortality Rate
Johnson County deaths per 100,000 women: 16.8
Previous reporting period: 17.1
Indiana average: 22.3
National average: 21.5

New Cases
Johnson County average per 100,000 people: 67.1
Previous reporting period: 73.3
Indiana rate: 74.2
National average: 62.4

Mortality Rate
Johnson County deaths per 100,000 people: 50.1
Previous reporting period: 53
Indiana average: 56.3
National average: 46

New Cases
Johnson County average per 100,000 men: 62.4
Previous reporting period: 77.3
Indiana average: 102
National average: 123.1

Mortality Rate
Johnson County deaths per 100,000 people: 19.2
Previous reporting period: 17.7
Indiana average: 21.2
National average: 20.7

4. Colorectal Cancer

New Cases
Johnson County average per 100,000 people: 46.3
Previous reporting period: 45.6
Indiana average: 44.0
National average: 40.6

Mortality Rate
Johnson County deaths per 100,000 people: 15.3
Previous reporting period: 15.0
Indiana average: 16.2
National average: 15.1

5. Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer

New Cases
Johnson County average per 100,000 people: 9.0
Previous reporting period: 10
Indiana average: 11.5
National average: 11.3

The most common type of cancer nationally is breast cancer, with more than 255,000 new cases expected in the United States in 2017. The next most common cancers are lung cancer and prostate cancer. 

For 2017, the estimated number of new cases of colon cancer and rectal cancer are 95,520 and 39,910, respectively, adding to a total of 135,430 new cases of colorectal cancer.

Physicians recommend regular cancer screenings during annual exams or if you are concerned with some symptoms.

Besides your primary care physician, a Cancer Care Navigator at our Cancer Care Center can help you schedule tests and screenings.