Data Sources
Data for the Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment were gathered from several Federal and state-level sources. Indicators presented on Cancer InFocus: Kentucky have been noted by their source.
Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Survival Rates
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER), National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
SEER is an authoritative source of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States. SEER currently collects and publishes cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries covering approximately 48% of the U.S. population. The Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) has been reporting cancer incidence and mortality data from Kentucky into the SEER program since 2001.
Incidence and mortality are reported as age-adjusted rates per 100,000 people in the population over a 5-year period. Relative survival is reported as the percentage of individuals with a cancer diagnosis still living 5-years after diagnosis compared to a general population of those without a cancer diagnosis, aggregated over a 7-year period. Rates for areas are suppressed when there are fewer than 10 cases or deaths during the reporting period.
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky contains all sex, all race incidence and mortality rates for the following sites: all cancer sites; anus, anal canal and anorectum; brain & other nervous system; breast (female); cervix uteri (female); colon & rectum; corpus uteri (female); kidney & renal pelvis; leukemia; liver & intrahepatic bile duct; lung & bronchus; melanoma; non-Hodgkin lymphoma; oral cavity & pharynx; ovary (female); pancreas; prostate (male); stomach; thyroid; and urinary bladder.
Sociodemographic Factors
American Community Survey (ACS), 5-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau
ACS is a nationally representative sample of households that are randomly selected to participate. This survey provides population estimates of demographic information for various geographic areas, aggregated over five consecutive years.
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky contains the following indicators from the American Community Survey:
| Indicator | ACS Table Used | Population Used |
| Under 18 Years Old | B01001 | Total population |
| 18 to 64 Years Old | B01001 | Total population |
| Over 64 Years Old | B01001 | Total population |
| Annual Labor Force Participation Rate | B23025 | Population 16 years and over |
| Annual Unemployment Rate | B23025 | Population 16 years and over |
| Insured | B27001 | Civilian noninstitutionalized population |
| Did Not Attend High School | B15003 | Population 25 years and over |
| Completed a Graduate Degree | B15003 | Population 25 years and over |
| Graduated College | B15003 | Population 25 years and over |
| Graduated High School | B15003 | Population 25 years and over |
| Household Income ($) | B19013 | Households |
| Vacant Housing | B25002 | Housing units |
| Gini Coefficient | B19083 | Households |
| Enrolled in Medicaid | C27007 | Civilian noninstitutionalized population |
| No Household Vehicle Access | B08141 | Workers 16 years and over in households |
| Living Below Poverty | B17026 | Families |
| Total Population | B01001 | Total population |
| Asian | B01001D | People who are Asian alone |
| Black | B01001B | People who are Black or African American alone |
| Hispanic | B01001I | People who are Hispanic or Latino |
| Other Non-Hispanic Races | B01001 | Total population (calculated by subtracting other indicators) |
| White | B01001H | White alone, not Hispanic or Latino population |
| High Rent Burden | B25070 | Renter-occupied housing units |
| Uninsured | B27001 | Civilian noninstitutionalized population |
Note: The Urbanized Residents indicator was derived from the 2010 Decennial Census
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky use the indicator Monthly Unemployment Rate from the BLS.
Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (KY CHFS)
Behavioral Risk Factors
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
BRFSS is a representative survey of adults in all states that collects data about health-related risk behaviors, use of preventive services, and chronic health conditions. The Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (KyBRFS) is the state-specific version of the BRFSS for Kentucky, administered by the Kentucky Department for Public Health..
Percentage estimates from BRFSS and KyBRFS are aggregated over the past two years of consecutive data from annual surveys. Estimates for areas are suppressed if their Relative Standard Error (RSE) exceeds 0.3 or the sample size is less than 30.
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky contains the following indicators from the KyBRFS:
| Indicator | Most Recent Survey Variable Name | Measurement Frequency |
| Breast Screening Rate | MAM5022 | Every other year (even) |
| Colorectal Screening Rate | CRCREC | Every other year (even) |
| Currently Smoke | SMOKER3 | Every year |
| Had Pap in Last 3 Years | RFPAP34 | Every other year (even) |
| Obese (BMI over 30) | BMI5CAT | Every year |
| Physically Inactive | PACAT2 | Every other year (odd) |
| Unhealthy Drinking | RFDRHV7 and RFBING5 | Every year |
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS), CDC
YRBSS is a self-administered national school-based survey system that collects data regarding health-related risk behaviors among 9th through 12th grade students.
National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen), CDC
NIS-Teen is an annual, nationally representative phone survey that collects immunization information on adolescents aged 13-17 years living in the U.S. and verifies immunization histories from health care providers.
National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, CDC (CDC NNDSS)
Environmental Factors
Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA ERS)
The mission of USDA’s Economic Research Service is to anticipate trends and emerging issues in agriculture, food, the environment, and rural America and to conduct high-quality, objective economic research to inform and enhance public and private decision making. ERS research and analysis covers a broad range of economic and policy topics, including food/nutrition and poverty.
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky uses the indicator Food Deserts (LILA Vehicle) from the USDA ERS.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations.
Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky uses the indicator Public Water Systems Violations since 2016 (Health Based) from the SDWIS.
County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHRR), National Center for Health Statistics
National Flood Hazard Layer, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA NFHL)
Community Health Systems
Commission on Cancer (CoC), American College of Surgeons
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health & Human Services
Lung Cancer Screening Registry (LCSR), American College of Radiology
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky uses the location data for Lung Cancer Screening Sites from the LCSR.
National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES)
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky uses the location data for GI Providers from the NPPES.
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Cancer InFocus: Kentucky uses the location data for Mammography Sites from the FDA.