More people now live five years after a cancer diagnosis, ACS data shows

The American Cancer Society reports five-year relative survival for all cancers has reached 70%, while incidence of several common cancers including breast, endometrial, prostate and pancreatic cancers is rising.

The American Cancer Society's annual report finds that five-year relative survival for all cancers has reached 70% for the first time. The report notes substantial improvements in survival over past decades for several cancers. It also reports rising incidence for common cancers such as breast, endometrial, prostate and pancreatic cancers. The ACS released the data while calling for continued research funding amid recent budgetary and workforce cuts to public health agencies. Report highlights: - Seventy percent of people now live at least five years after a cancer diagnosis, the report says. - Survival has improved markedly for cancers including myeloma and liver and lung cancers. - Incidence is rising for breast, endometrial, prostate and pancreatic cancers. - The ACS projects about 5,800 new cancer diagnoses per day in 2026, totaling more than 2 million cases, and projects over 620,000 deaths this year. - The ACS called for continued cancer research funding and said threats to funding and to access to health insurance could reverse progress, according to CEO Shane Jacobson. Summary: The report marks a notable rise in five-year survival while also reporting growing incidence for several common cancers and projecting high case and death totals for 2026. The American Cancer Society has called for continued research funding and raised concerns about budget and workforce cuts. Undetermined at this time.