Key Statistics for Cancers in Adolescents

How common is cancer in adolescents?

• About 5,660 adolescents (aged 15 to 19) will be diagnosed with cancer in 2026 in the United States.
• About 730 adolescents will die from cancer in 2026. Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in this age group, behind only accidents, suicide, and homicide.

Survival rates for adolescents with cancer

The chance of getting cancer is about equal for teen boys and girls. In recent years, the number of cancers diagnosed in adolescents has been slowly increasing by about 0.9% per year.

Overall, about 88% of adolescents are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed with cancer. But it's important to note that survival rates can vary widely based on the type of cancer and other factors.

The chance of dying of cancer in teens has declined about 58% since 1970. Progress in some cancers in adolescents has been greater than in others.

Visit the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center for more key statistics.