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, Male

Sorted by count

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.

South Carolina

Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -1.8.
Rate : The death rate is 190.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 188.1 to 192.7 and 5,835 average annual deaths.

Horry 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 -1.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 185.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 177.9 to 193.7 and 521 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Greenville County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 0.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.9 to 2.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 167.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 160.4 to 174.5 and 473 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 -2.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.0 to -2.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 169.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 161.8 to 177.5 and 387 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Richland 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 -2.0 to -1.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 199.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 189.8 to 209.5 and 357 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Spartanburg County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 197.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 187.7 to 207.0 and 356 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Lexington 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 3.9.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 197.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 187.2 to 207.4 and 324 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

York County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.6 to -1.7.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 190.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 179.2 to 201.2 and 267 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Anderson County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.6 to -1.4.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 200.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 188.4 to 212.3 and 241 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Beaufort County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.5 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 138.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 130.2 to 147.5 and 230 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8

Berkeley County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.6 to -1.7.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 178.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 167.2 to 190.9 and 205 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Aiken County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.8 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 186.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 175.2 to 199.3 and 204 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Florence County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.4 to -1.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 213.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 197.8 to 229.2 and 160 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Dorchester 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 -2.5 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 185.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 171.2 to 200.0 and 147 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Pickens 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 -2.0 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 185.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 171.2 to 200.1 and 138 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 -1.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.5 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 234.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 216.1 to 253.5 and 132 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Lancaster 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 -2.7 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 179.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 165.1 to 195.1 and 122 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 -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 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 184.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 168.3 to 201.7 and 112 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Georgetown County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.5 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 196.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 178.6 to 215.6 and 110 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Orangeburg 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 -2.3 to -0.9.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 205.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 188.1 to 225.1 and 108 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Laurens County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 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 226.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 205.6 to 248.7 and 96 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Kershaw County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 3.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to 7.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 227.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 205.8 to 250.2 and 92 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Greenwood 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 -2.5 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 201.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 182.5 to 222.8 and 84 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Darlington 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 -2.1 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 209.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 187.8 to 232.2 and 79 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Cherokee County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.9 to -1.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 213.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 190.2 to 238.0 and 70 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Colleton 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 -2.5 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 235.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 208.5 to 264.7 and 61 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Chesterfield 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 -2.3 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 218.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 192.9 to 245.8 and 60 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 -0.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.1 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 233.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 206.5 to 264.2 and 58 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Clarendon 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 -2.7 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 229.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 201.2 to 260.1 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 -0.7 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 256.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 224.9 to 292.0 and 52 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.5

Williamsburg 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 -2.8 to -0.7.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 240.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 208.8 to 275.8 and 47 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Union 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 -1.6 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 253.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 219.7 to 291.9 and 45 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.5

Jasper County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 1.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is rising because the trend is 15.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 4.1 to 24.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 231.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 198.8 to 267.4 and 45 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Dillon County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.2 to 8.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 282.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 244.5 to 324.2 and 44 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.6

Marion 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 -3.0 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 241.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 207.9 to 278.7 and 43 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Fairfield County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.4 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 260.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 221.7 to 304.3 and 39 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.5

Marlboro County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.0 to -0.7.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 221.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 188.8 to 257.8 and 37 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Abbeville 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 -3.2 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 174.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 147.3 to 206.5 and 31 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 -2.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.2 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 166.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 140.1 to 197.3 and 30 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Hampton County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -3.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -15.9 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 231.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 194.0 to 275.5 and 28 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Barnwell 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 -2.8 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 221.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 184.5 to 264.5 and 28 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Saluda County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.8 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 196.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 164.0 to 234.9 and 27 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Lee County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -4.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -12.6 to -2.4.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 223.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 182.5 to 272.3 and 22 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Calhoun 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 -1.4 to 11.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 203.1 with a 95% confidence interval from 164.8 to 248.9 and 22 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2

Bamberg County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.1 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 220.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 179.3 to 270.3 and 21 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

McCormick County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -3.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.8 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 154.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 121.0 to 198.3 and 18 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Allendale County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.5 to 1.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 236.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 174.5 to 312.8 and 11 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.4

Notes:
Created by statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov on 03/17/2026 4:04 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