ANTI-CANCER
Finding The Hope
Cancer Statistics
Cancer has a significant impact on society in the worldwide. The burden of cancer can be assessed through the use of cancer statistics, which provide a snapshot of the disease's prevalence and impact on society.
One important aspect of cancer statistics is the number of people diagnosed with and dying from cancer each year. In the United States, an estimated 1.8 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2023, and approximately 609,640 people will die from the disease. Globally, cancer is responsible for an estimated 10 million deaths annually, making it the second leading cause of death worldwide.
Another important statistic is the number of people who are living with cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are currently over 17 million cancer survivors in the United States. These survivors face unique challenges related to their diagnosis and treatment, including long-term side effects and increased risk of recurrence.
Cancer statistics also provide information about the age at which cancer is typically diagnosed. For example, the median age at diagnosis for breast cancer is 62 years, while the median age at diagnosis for prostate cancer is 66 years. These statistics can inform screening and prevention strategies tailored to specific age groups.
In addition, cancer statistics can reveal important differences among groups defined by sex, race/ethnicity, geographic location, and other categories. For example, African Americans have a higher incidence and mortality rate for many types of cancer compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Understanding these disparities is essential for developing targeted interventions to reduce the burden of cancer in these populations.
Trends in cancer rates over time can also be gleaned from cancer statistics. For example, the incidence of lung cancer in the United States has been declining since the 1980s, largely due to a decrease in smoking rates. On the other hand, the incidence of some types of cancer, such as liver and pancreatic cancer, has been increasing in recent years, highlighting the need for continued research into prevention and treatment strategies for these diseases.
While statistical trends may not be directly applicable to individual patients, they are critical for informing public health policy, guiding research priorities, and measuring the success of cancer control efforts. For example, the decline in lung cancer rates in the United States can be attributed to successful public health campaigns aimed at reducing smoking rates, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions in reducing the burden of cancer.
The statistics provide a comprehensive picture of the impact of cancer on society, including the number of people diagnosed with and dying from the disease, the number of survivors, the age at diagnosis, and differences among groups defined by sex, race/ethnicity, geographic location, and other categories. Understanding these statistics is essential for addressing the challenges that cancer poses to society, developing effective prevention and treatment strategies, and measuring the success of cancer control efforts.
The Burden Of Cancer
Cancer is a major public health concern in the United States, with a significant impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, after heart disease. In this article, we will provide an overview of cancer statistics in the United States, including the estimated number of new cases and deaths in 2020, the most common types of cancer, cancer incidence and mortality rates, and trends in cancer mortality over time. We will also discuss the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, which is a valuable resource for cancer statistics and research.
Estimated Number of New Cases and Deaths
An estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and 606,520 people will die from the disease. These numbers highlight the significant impact of cancer on the US population.
Most Common Types of Cancer
The most common types of cancer in the United States, listed in descending order according to estimated new cases, are breast cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, melanoma of the skin, bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney and renal pelvis cancer, endometrial cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, and liver cancer. These types of cancer account for the majority of new cancer cases in the United States.
Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates
The rate of new cases of cancer (cancer incidence) is 442.4 per 100,000 men and women per year, based on 2013-2017 data. The cancer death rate (cancer mortality) is 158.3 per 100,000 men and women per year, also based on 2013-2017 data. The cancer mortality rate is higher among men than women, with 189.5 deaths per 100,000 men and 135.7 deaths per 100,000 women. Cancer mortality is highest in African American men, with 227.3 deaths per 100,000, and lowest in Asian/Pacific Islander women, with 85.6 deaths per 100,000.
Trends in Cancer Mortality
The overall cancer death rate in the United States has declined since the early 1990s. The most recent Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, released in March 2020, shows that overall cancer death rates decreased by 1.8% per year among men from 2001 to 2017, 1.4% per year among women from 2001 to 2017, and 1.4% per year among children ages 0-14 from 2013 to 2017. These trends suggest that progress is being made against cancer. However, rates for some types of cancer have not changed or have even increased, highlighting the need for continued research and prevention efforts.
SEER Program
The SEER Program is a valuable resource for cancer statistics and research. The program collects and publishes cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries that cover approximately 35% of the US population. The SEER program website provides detailed cancer statistics, including population statistics for common types of cancer, customizable graphs and tables, and interactive tools. The SEER program is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals who are working to prevent and treat cancer.
With a significant impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole. The estimated number of new cases and deaths in 2020 highlights the need for continued research and prevention efforts. The SEER Program is a valuable resource for cancer statistics and research, providing detailed information on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival. Continued progress in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment will be critical to reducing the burden of cancer in the United States.