Kentucky leads nation for highest rate of cancer deaths linked to smoking

34% of cancer deaths in 2014 attributed to smoking

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 26, 2016) — Kentucky leads the nation in cancer deaths linked to smoking, according to a study by the American Cancer Society published in JAMA Internal Medicine. 

The study, which ranks every state for cancer deaths in 2014 related to smoking, found that Kentucky had the highest percentage at 34 percent—3,452 of 10,165 cancer deaths were attributed to smoking.

Kentucky also led for highest percentage of cancer deaths among women, at 29 percent—1,347 of 4,651. Kentucky was fifth in most cancer deaths among men, with 2,104 of 5,514 cancer deaths—38.2 percent—attributed to smoking.

The study was based on 12 cancers: acute myeloid leukemia and cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx; esophagus; stomach; colorectum; liver; pancreas; larynx; trachea, lung, and bronchus; cervix uteri; kidney and renal pelvis; and urinary bladder.

Among the 167,133 U.S. deaths in 2014 from those cancers, 28.6 percent were attributed to smoking.