State Cancer Profiles > Interpretation of Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer Data

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Interpretation of Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer Data

Death Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer, 2019-2023

South Carolina Counties versus United States

All Cancer Sites

All Races, Both Sexes

Sorted by priority index

Explanation of Column Headers

State/County - The site and sex combination for this comparison.

Priority Index ¹ - The priority index is based upon the direction of the trend and the rate comparison. An index of 1 is the highest priority - that trend is rising and the rate is already higher. An index of 9 is the lowest priority - the trend is falling and the rate is already lower.

Recent Trends - This is an interpretation of the AAPC:

Rising when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is above 0.
Stable when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change includes 0.
Falling when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is below 0.

AAPC (95% Confidence Interval) - The Average Annual Percent Change is the change in rate over time. These AAPCs are based upon APCs that were calculated by Joinpoint Regression Program

Other Notes

Larger confidence intervals indicate less stability of the data. This is often due to low counts that are not quite low enough to be suppressed.
Data is currently being suppressed if there are fewer than 16 counts for the time period.

Line by Line Interpretation of the Report

United States

Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.5 to -1.2.
Rate : The death rate is 145.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 145.2 to 145.6 and 605,771 average annual deaths.

South Carolina

Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.5 to -1.3.
Rate : The death rate is 156.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 155.4 to 158.2 and 10,808 average annual deaths.

Bamberg County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to 0.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 187.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 161.4 to 216.9 and 41 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Barnwell County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.1 to 0.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 187.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 164.7 to 212.2 and 54 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Chester County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.1 to 0.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 201.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 182.7 to 222.1 and 89 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Colleton County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to 0.0.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 200.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 183.9 to 218.9 and 112 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Fairfield County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 to 0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 202.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 180.0 to 227.8 and 66 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Hampton County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to 0.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 200.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 176.0 to 227.1 and 52 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Jasper County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 7.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 to 13.7.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 165.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 148.3 to 185.2 and 74 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Laurens County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -0.7 to 0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 194.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 181.7 to 208.1 and 183 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Newberry County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.1 to 0.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 195.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 178.6 to 213.7 and 106 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Union County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.1 to 0.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 200.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 180.4 to 222.0 and 82 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Cherokee County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 175.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 161.7 to 190.3 and 126 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Chesterfield County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -0.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.5 to -0.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 176.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 161.5 to 193.0 and 106 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Clarendon County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 182.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 166.0 to 201.4 and 95 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Darlington County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.5 to -0.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 179.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 166.3 to 192.9 and 155 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Dillon County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.1 to -0.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 213.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 192.0 to 236.8 and 77 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.5

Florence County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -1.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 163.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 155.3 to 172.8 and 289 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Greenwood County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.6 to -0.4.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 164.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 153.4 to 177.0 and 160 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Kershaw County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 to -0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 188.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 175.9 to 202.3 and 172 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Lee County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -3.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -10.9 to -1.8.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 175.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 151.5 to 203.2 and 41 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Lexington County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 to -0.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 160.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 154.3 to 166.1 and 592 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Marion County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -0.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 196.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 177.3 to 218.1 and 82 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Marlboro County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.6 to -0.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 193.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 173.3 to 215.7 and 71 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Orangeburg County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -0.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 to -0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 175.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 164.2 to 186.4 and 212 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Richland County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to -1.0.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 163.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 157.7 to 168.9 and 699 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Spartanburg County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to -1.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 161.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 155.9 to 167.2 and 659 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Sumter County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to -0.8.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 176.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 166.5 to 187.3 and 237 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Williamsburg County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -8.0 to -1.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 179.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 162.6 to 198.8 and 85 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Abbeville County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to 0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 158.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 140.5 to 178.7 and 60 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Aiken County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.6 to 2.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 150.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 144.0 to 158.2 and 373 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Allendale County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.3 to 0.9.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 173.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 139.4 to 214.1 and 20 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Anderson County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to 1.0.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 158.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 151.3 to 165.0 and 436 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Calhoun County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to 0.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 167.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 144.1 to 193.8 and 41 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Saluda County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.8 to 0.9.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 164.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 144.2 to 188.0 and 48 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Berkeley County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -5.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -8.7 to -1.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 149.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 142.1 to 156.2 and 375 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Charleston County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.5 to -1.8.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 138.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 133.7 to 143.0 and 725 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Dorchester County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to -0.9.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 150.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 142.2 to 158.7 and 273 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Edgefield County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.9 to -0.8.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 150.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 133.1 to 170.1 and 57 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Georgetown County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.8 to -0.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 156.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 145.6 to 168.2 and 188 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Greenville County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -6.0 to -1.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 141.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 137.1 to 145.5 and 916 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Horry County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.4 to -1.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 159.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 154.6 to 164.3 and 964 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Lancaster County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to -0.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 147.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 138.2 to 156.4 and 219 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

McCormick County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.4 to -1.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 143.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 119.6 to 172.8 and 33 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Oconee County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.6 to -0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 144.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 135.1 to 154.8 and 190 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Pickens County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -0.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.3 to -0.4.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 150.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 141.6 to 158.8 and 249 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

York County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.6 to -0.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 153.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 147.7 to 160.3 and 495 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Beaufort County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.4.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 123.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 118.2 to 129.6 and 431 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Notes:
Created by statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov on 03/22/2026 6:29 am.

Trend²
Rising

when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is above 0.
Stable

when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change includes 0.
Falling

when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is below 0.
Rate Comparison
Above

when 95% confident the rate is above and Rate Ratio³ > 1.10
Similar

when unable to conclude above or below with confidence.
Below

when 95% confident the rate is below and Rate Ratio³ < 0.90

¹ Priority indices were created by ordering from rates that are rising and above the comparison rate to rates that are falling and below the comparison rate.
² Recent trend in death rates is usually an Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) based on the APCs calculated by Joinpoint. Due to data availability issues, the time period and/or calculation method used in the calculation of the trends may differ for selected geographic areas.
³ Rate ratio is the county rate divided by the US rate. Previous versions of this table used one-year rates for states and five-year rates for counties. As of June 2018, only five-year rates are used.
Source: Death data provided by the National Vital Statistics System public use data file. Death rates calculated by the National Cancer Institute using SEER*Stat. Death rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (20 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ... , 80-84, 85-89, 90+). The Healthy People 2030 goals are based on rates adjusted using different methods but the differences should be minimal. Population counts for denominators are based on Census populations as modified by NCI. The US Population Data File is used with mortality data.
Note: When the population size for a denominator is small, the rates may be unstable. A rate is unstable when a small change in the numerator (e.g., only one or two additional cases) has a dramatic effect on the calculated rate. Suppression is used to avoid misinterpretation when rates are unstable.

State Cancer Registries may provide more current or more local data. Data presented on the State Cancer Profiles Web Site may differ from statistics reported by the State Cancer Registries (for more information).

Interpret Rankings provides insight into interpreting cancer statistics. When the population size for a denominator is small, the rates may be unstable. A rate is unstable when a small change in the numerator (e.g., only one or two additional cases) has a dramatic effect on the calculated rate.

Data for United States do not include Puerto Rico.

State Cancer Profiles