State Cancer Profiles

Interpretation of Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer Data

Death Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer, 2019-2023

Washington Counties versus United States

All Cancer Sites

All Races, Male

Sorted by rateratio

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 -1.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.8 to -1.7.
• Rate : The death rate is 171.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 171.3 to 171.8 and 318,737 average annual deaths.

Washington

• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to -1.5.
• Rate : The death rate is 168.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 166.7 to 170.3 and 6,988 average annual deaths.

San Juan County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.9 to -1.2.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 121.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 97.5 to 151.4 and 23 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.7

Adams 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 -3.7 to -0.1.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 140.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 106.8 to 181.3 and 12 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8

Jefferson County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.2 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 144.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 126.3 to 165.2 and 57 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8

King County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.9.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 146.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 142.7 to 149.4 and 1,536 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Skamania County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.9 to 0.0.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 155.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 122.2 to 196.8 and 16 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Chelan 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 -2.0 to -0.7.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 156.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 141.5 to 173.0 and 83 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Franklin County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.6 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 157.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 138.4 to 178.9 and 56 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Island County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 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 159.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 145.6 to 173.8 and 112 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Lincoln County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.1 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 164.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 127.6 to 209.4 and 16 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Kitsap 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 -2.2 to -1.3.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 166.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 157.3 to 175.7 and 277 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Walla Walla County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 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 170.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 152.2 to 189.9 and 67 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Asotin County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.8 to 0.1.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 170.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 144.2 to 201.1 and 32 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Benton County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 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 170.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 159.5 to 182.5 and 185 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Thurston 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 -2.1 to 4.6.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 171.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 162.3 to 180.8 and 289 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Whitman 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 -2.1 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 172.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 146.1 to 202.5 and 31 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Douglas 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 -2.5 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 173.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 151.2 to 198.7 and 45 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Snohomish 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 -1.7 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 173.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 167.7 to 180.1 and 685 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Clark 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 -2.2 to -1.4.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 174.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 167.0 to 182.0 and 463 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Spokane County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.8 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 175.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 168.9 to 182.8 and 533 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Whatcom County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 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 176.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 166.1 to 187.2 and 235 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Klickitat County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.2 to 0.0.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 176.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 149.6 to 208.2 and 34 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Yakima County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 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 177.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 166.9 to 188.5 and 222 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Pacific 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 -2.7 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 180.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 155.0 to 209.8 and 44 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Grant 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 -2.2 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 181.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 164.4 to 199.1 and 91 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Pierce County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to -1.4.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 181.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 175.8 to 187.6 and 800 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Skagit 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 -1.7 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 182.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 170.3 to 196.1 and 169 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Stevens County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.4 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 183.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 163.2 to 205.1 and 70 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Kittitas County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -9.6 to 13.0.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 185.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 162.9 to 211.4 and 51 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Clallam County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -0.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.5 to 0.0.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 187.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 172.5 to 202.9 and 139 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Mason 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 188.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 171.3 to 207.5 and 97 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Ferry County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.1 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 189.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 141.8 to 250.8 and 13 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Grays Harbor 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 -3.0 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 191.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 175.2 to 209.2 and 112 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Lewis 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 -1.9 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 195.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 179.4 to 213.4 and 114 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Okanogan County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.2 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 207.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 185.2 to 233.0 and 68 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Pend Oreille County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
• Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.5 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 218.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 179.5 to 265.4 and 26 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Cowlitz 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 -1.2 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 223.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 207.4 to 239.8 and 161 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Columbia 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 -3.5 to 2.0.
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 232.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 169.2 to 320.4 and 9 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Wahkiakum County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
• Recent Trend(2) : **
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
• Rate : The death rate is 211.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 155.1 to 291.6 and 11 average annual deaths.
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Garfield County

• Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
• Recent Trend(2) : **
• County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
• Rate : *
• Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Notes:
Created by statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov on 03/12/2026 7:44 am.


* Data has been suppressed to ensure confidentiality and stability of rate and trend estimates.
** Data are too sparse to provide stable estimates of annual rates needed to calculate trend.
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).

Data for the following has been suppressed to ensure confidentiality and stability of rate and trend estimates:
Garfield County

Trend for the following could not be reliably determined due to small number of deaths per year:
Wahkiakum County

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.