CBF by the numbers.

Data that informs how we address the financial and health burdens caused by cancer.

Cancer in Maine

  • Communities in Washington, Penobscot, and Hancock counties have higher overall cancer incidence rates compared to the state rate. (1)

  • Maine’s cancer death rate is significantly higher than the U.S. rate. (1)

2024 Maine Cancer Snapshot A REPORT BY THE MAINE CANCER REGISTRY

Risk Factors - Cancer Rates In Maine

Social Determinants of Health - Not every Mainer can make healthy choices because of factors like where they live, their access to healthcare, or their income. As a result, they have more health problems than others.

  • About 42% of cancer cases and 45% of cancer deaths in the United States are linked to modifiable risk factors.

  • The combination of excess body weight, alcohol intake, poor diet, and physical inactivity accounted for 18% of cancer cases.

Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States

Farhad Islami MD, PhD,  Ann Goding Sauer MSPH,  Kimberly D. Miller MPH,  Rebecca L. Siegel MPH,  Stacey A. Fedewa PhD, MPH,  Eric J. Jacobs PhD,  Marjorie L. McCullough ScD, RD,  Alpa V. Patel PhD,  Jiemin Ma PhD, MHS,  Isabelle Soerjomataram MD, PhD, MSc,  W. Dana Flanders MD, DSc, MPH, MA,  Otis W. Brawley MD, MACP,  Susan M. Gapstur PhD, MPH,  Ahmedin Jemal DVM, PhD

  • Food deserts are areas of low-income and low-access to grocery stores with fresh foods. Northern, western, and central communities of Maine are designated as food deserts with Downeast regions facing significant impacts of this barrier.

  • https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas

Of Maine's 594,358 households in 2022…

  • 12% earned below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

  • 30% were ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrain, Employed), in households that earned above the FPL but not enough to afford the basics in the communities where they live

  • Together, 42% of households in Maine were below the ALICE Threshold (poverty + ALICE divided by total households)

  • 53% of Maine’s 65+ households were below the ALICE Threshold (102,471). While Social Security helps reduce the poverty rate for households headed by older adults (11% in Maine in 2022), benefits have not been enough to help bring older adults to financial stability.

  • ALICE of Maine, 2022

Financial Impact of Cancer

  • 93% of patients seen by CBF agree or strongly agree that their cancer diagnosis impacted their financial security. (2)

  • Financial hardship can lead to forgoing or delays in cancer care, loss of employment and income, debt, and bankruptcy. (3)

Nutritional Impact of Cancer

  • 50% of patients seen by CBF start treatment not meeting their daily total calorie intake, and 75% do not meet their daily fruit and vegetable intake. (4)

  • Certain cancers drastically impact someone’s ability to access, consume, and absorb healthy foods. Malnutrition will result in weight loss, muscle wasting, and weakened immune function, impacting survival rates. (5)

1 - 2024 Maine Cancer Snapshot Report

2 - 2024 Christine B. Foundation Financial Assistance Grant Survey

3 - 2021 Maine Cancer Foundation Financial Toxicity Survey

4 - 2024 Christine B. Foundation, Dietary Assessment Screen Result Averages (National Cancer Institute)