The age-adjusted mortality rate for breast cancer among women in Washington, D.C., reached 24.1 per 100,000 in 2024, marking the highest figure among all states and the District, and roughly 67% exceeding Rhode Island’s rate of 14.4, which ranked lowest. These statistics derive from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data table detailing female breast cancer fatalities, published alongside the Oct. 15 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and based on final death records for 2024 from the National Center for Health Statistics.
Across the United States, 43,402 women passed away from breast cancer in 2024, resulting in an age-adjusted rate of 18.7 per 100,000. Since these rates are adjusted for age, a state with a higher elderly population does not inherently rank worse.
State Gaps in Breast Cancer Death Rates
The data emerge during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a period when many women evaluate their mammogram scheduling. For individuals residing in high-rate states, these statistics prompt questions about whether screening, follow-up imaging, and treatment are accessible as quickly as in lower-rate regions.
The CDC table does not identify specific causes for the disparities, and no single factor fully explains the variance. Following D.C., the highest rates appeared in Mississippi and Oklahoma at 22.5 each, West Virginia at 22.4, Alabama at 21.2, and Delaware and Georgia at 21.0.
The lowest rates were observed in Rhode Island, North Dakota at 15.0, Massachusetts at 15.2, Vermont at 15.6, Hawaii at 15.7, and New York at 15.8. New York’s low rate is notable given its population size, with 2,280 deaths.
Screening and Access to Care
Socioeconomic factors, racial disparities, and healthcare access may shed light on some differences. In 2022, Rhode Island led the nation in the percentage of women 40 and older who underwent mammography within two years, at 78.4%, followed by Massachusetts and Louisiana at 77.0%.
A Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) review of breast cancer death rates by race indicates the 2024 national rate was 25.7 for Black women and 19.2 for white women. In D.C., the rate among Black women was 32.2, compared to 15.8 for white women, with Black women accounting for 67 of the city’s 95 deaths.
The CDC notes that regular mammograms can reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer. “Most women that are diagnosed with breast cancer have no attributable family history of breast cancer,” Dr. Alyssa Cubbison of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center told WBRZ in May.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises women 40 to 74 at average risk to receive mammograms every two years. Those at higher risk, such as individuals with specific genetic mutations or prior chest radiation, may require earlier or more frequent screenings and should consult a healthcare provider.
Most insurance plans must cover biennial screening mammograms for women beginning at 40 without out-of-pocket charges. Follow-up imaging after abnormal results might involve copays, so women should confirm coverage details with their insurers. Uninsured or low-income women can check eligibility for the federal early detection initiative, which provides free or low-cost mammograms to qualifying women in every state and D.C.
Every state and D.C. receives CDC funding through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides free or low-cost mammograms to eligible women with low incomes.
Limits of a Single Year of Data
CDC statistics reflect one year of deaths and cannot establish causation. Many current fatalities stem from diagnoses and treatment decisions made years prior.
Rates in regions with few deaths can fluctuate annually. D.C. recorded 95 deaths, Rhode Island 116, Vermont 82, and North Dakota 79.
