... Island). Of the five states with the lowest rates, four are in the southeast U.S. (Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina). Table 1 Thyroid Cancer Incidence, by State, U.S., ... literature contains few studies of thyroid cancer incidence near U.S. nuclear installations. The National Cancer Institute examined cancer mortality near 62 plants, but included incidence data for only ... released from nuclear plants is a factor in elevated and rapidly rising thyroid cancer rates. Other sources of radioactive iodine exposure to Americans may also raise thyroid cancer risk, and...