Deadly cancers continue to rise while survival rates improve

An American Cancer Society report finds overall cancer mortality has fallen 34% since 1991 and five-year survival has reached about 70%, while rates of several cancers including colorectal, breast and lung are increasing among younger Americans.

A new report from the American Cancer Society describes mixed trends in the United States. Overall cancer deaths have fallen and five-year survival is at an all-time high. At the same time, rates of multiple cancers are rising among younger people. The report also highlights persistent racial and regional gaps in diagnosis and outcomes. Key points: - Overall cancer mortality declined about 34% from its 1991 peak through 2023, a trend the report connects to reduced smoking, earlier detection and improved treatments. - Seven in 10 people diagnosed with cancer are now expected to survive at least five years, a record high reported in the study. - Incidence of colorectal cancer has been increasing among younger adults; cases in people aged 20–39 rose by about 1.6% per year since 2004, with notable increases in adjacent age groups as well. - Lung cancer diagnoses among younger, often non-smoking adults have been climbing, and metastatic breast cancer has risen most rapidly in younger women. - The report documents stark racial disparities: some Indigenous and Black communities face higher incidence and mortality for particular cancers, and differences in access to high-quality care are noted. Summary: The report frames a complex picture: significant gains in survival and falling overall mortality coexist with rising early-onset cancers and longstanding inequities in who is diagnosed and who survives. Undetermined at this time.