Understanding cancer rates in America provides valuable insight into the nation’s health landscape. Analyzing these statistics helps public health officials and researchers identify patterns, gauge the effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies, and direct resources to areas of greatest need.
Understanding Cancer Rates: Incidence and Mortality
Cancer rates are primarily measured through incidence and mortality. Incidence refers to the rate of new cancer diagnoses within a specific population over a defined period. For example, in 2024, it is projected that over 2.0 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States, which translates to approximately 5,500 diagnoses each day.
Mortality rates, conversely, track the number of deaths due to cancer within a population. In 2024, the United States is projected to see over 611,000 cancer deaths, equating to more than 1,600 deaths daily. A related metric, survival rates, indicates the proportion of people still alive for a certain period after their cancer diagnosis, often five years. As of January 2022, an estimated 18.1 million cancer survivors resided in the United States, representing about 5.4% of the population.
Historical Trends in Cancer Rates
Over recent decades, the United States has experienced notable shifts in cancer rates. Between 2000 and 2021, the age-adjusted cancer incidence rate, which accounts for population changes, declined by 5.7% per 100,000 people. Despite this, the absolute number of new cancer cases increased by 36.3% during the same period, from 1.3 million to 1.8 million annually, largely due to population growth and aging.
A more significant decline has been observed in cancer mortality rates. From 2000 to 2021, the annual age-adjusted mortality rate fell by 27.5% per 100,000 people. This sustained reduction, totaling a 33% decline since 1991, has led to an estimated 3.8 million averted cancer deaths. This progress reflects advances in cancer detection, treatment, and prevention efforts, particularly evident in accelerated declines for lung cancer, melanoma, and leukemia mortality.
Leading Cancer Types in America
In the United States, certain cancer types consistently account for the majority of diagnoses and deaths. Breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers collectively represent almost 50% of all new cancer cases. In 2025, breast cancer is projected to be the most common diagnosis, with an estimated 319,750 new cases, followed closely by prostate cancer at 313,780 cases. Lung and bronchus cancer is projected to have 226,650 new cases, and colorectal cancer is estimated at 154,270 new cases.
Regarding mortality, lung and bronchus cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for approximately 124,730 projected deaths in 2025. Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest, with an estimated 52,900 deaths, followed by pancreatic cancer at 51,980 deaths, and breast cancer at 42,680 deaths. These four cancer types are responsible for nearly 50% of all cancer deaths in the U.S.
Key Contributors to Cancer Rates
Several factors significantly influence cancer rates within the American population. Lifestyle choices play a substantial role, with approximately 40% of adult cancer cases and 44% of cancer deaths in 2019 linked to modifiable risk factors. Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause, contributing to 19.3% of cancer cases and 28.5% of cancer-related mortality. Lung cancer, skin melanoma, colorectal cancer, and bladder cancer have the highest proportion of cases attributed to these risk factors.
Excess body weight, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity are also significant contributors to cancer burden. Poor diet, characterized by low fruit and vegetable consumption and high intake of ultra-processed foods, further increases risk. Environmental exposures, such as radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, are also risk factors. Early detection and screening programs can significantly impact rates by detecting cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Variations in Cancer Across Populations
Cancer rates exhibit variations across different demographic groups in America. Age is a primary factor, as the risk of cancer generally increases with age, with the highest percentages of reported cancer history observed in older adults. Men historically experience higher rates of both new diagnoses and cancer-related deaths compared to women. For example, in 2021, the cancer incidence rate for men was 493.5 per 100,000, approximately 12.7% higher than the 437.7 cases per 100,000 women.
Racial and ethnic disparities are also present. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals face a disproportionately higher burden of cancer deaths. Black individuals have the highest mortality rate for most leading cancer types, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers, partly due to later-stage diagnoses and lower stage-specific survival. Socioeconomic status also influences rates, with individuals having limited education or living in non-metropolitan areas experiencing substantially higher cancer mortality.