State Cancer Profiles

Interpretation of Historical Trends Data

Historical Trends (2000-2021)

Incidence, Massachusetts, All Cancer Sites, All Races (incl Hisp), All Ages, Both Sexes

Line graph with 22 years and 2 segments
During 2000-2018, the APC¹ in the rate of cancer was stable: -0.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.2 to 1.3.
During 2018-2021, the APC¹ in the rate of cancer was falling: -4.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -7.4 to -1.0.
Yearly points:
In 2000, the observed rate was 518.5. The estimated rate was 537.5.
In 2001, the observed rate was 526.6. The estimated rate was 532.9.
In 2002, the observed rate was 530.8. The estimated rate was 528.2.
In 2003, the observed rate was 513.9. The estimated rate was 523.7.
In 2004, the observed rate was 514.9. The estimated rate was 519.1.
In 2005, the observed rate was 517.8. The estimated rate was 514.7.
In 2006, the observed rate was 531.1. The estimated rate was 510.2.
In 2007, the observed rate was 524.4. The estimated rate was 505.8.
In 2008, the observed rate was 523.6. The estimated rate was 501.4.
In 2009, the observed rate was 512.5. The estimated rate was 497.1.
In 2010, the observed rate was 480.8. The estimated rate was 492.8.
In 2011, the observed rate was 491.3. The estimated rate was 488.5.
In 2012, the observed rate was 474.7. The estimated rate was 484.3.
In 2013, the observed rate was 462.7. The estimated rate was 480.1.
In 2014, the observed rate was 461.7. The estimated rate was 476.0.
In 2015, the observed rate was 466.9. The estimated rate was 471.8.
In 2016, the observed rate was 473.3. The estimated rate was 467.8.
In 2017, the observed rate was 464.3. The estimated rate was 463.7.
In 2018, the observed rate was 445.4. The estimated rate was 459.7.
In 2019, the observed rate was 466.0. The estimated rate was 440.3.
In 2020, the observed rate was 417.2. The estimated rate was N/A.
In 2021, the observed rate was 395.1. The estimated rate was 403.9.

Notes:

Created by statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov on 07/18/2025 7:27 pm.
Regression lines calculated using the Joinpoint Regression Program (Version 5.3.0).
¹ The APC is the Annual Percent Change over the time interval. Rates used in the calculation of the APC are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ... , 80-84, 85+).

Explanation of the Calculation of the Trend:
If the APC is less than -1.5, the trend is falling.
If the APC is between -1.5 and -0.5, the trend is slightly falling.
If the APC is between -0.5 and 0.5, the trend is statistically stable.
If the APC is between 0.5 and 1.5, the trend is slightly rising.
If the APC is greater than 1.5, the trend is rising.

The 2020 incidence rate is displayed but not used in the fit of the trend line(s). Impact of COVID on SEER Cancer Incidence 2020 data.
Source: Incidence data provided by the SEER Program and the National Program of Cancer Registries SEER*Stat Database United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates calculated by the National Cancer Institute using SEER*Stat. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ... , 80-84, 85+). Rates are for invasive cancer only (except for bladder cancer which is invasive and in situ) or unless otherwise specified. Population counts for denominators are based on Census populations as modified by NCI. The US populations included with the data release have been adjusted for the population shifts due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita for 62 counties and parishes in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The US Population Data File is used with SEER data. Rates and trends in this graph are computed using the same standard for malignancy. For more information see malignant.html

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 (deaths per 100,000 population per year) are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: (<1, 1-4, 5-9, ... , 80-84, 85+). Population counts for denominators are based on Census populations as modified by NCI. The US populations included with the data release have been adjusted for the population shifts due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita for 62 counties and parishes in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. US Population Data File is used with mortality data.

Due to data availability issues, the time period used in the calculation of the joinpoint regression model may differ for selected racial groups or counties.