Cancer Facts and Statistics

In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women. However, CRC is also one of the most preventable common cancers. This publication provides information about colorectal cancer, including statistics on cancer occurrence, as well as information about risk factors, prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among US women and is the second leading cause of death among women after lung cancer. This publication provides statistics about the occurrence of breast cancer, as well as information about risk factors, prevention, early detection, and treatment.

About 18% of the US population identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2016—the largest US minority group. This publication, also available in Spanish, provides estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths for Hispanics/Latinos, as well as the most recent statistics on cancer occurrence and information on cancer risk factors (e.g., tobacco use, obesity, and alcohol consumption) and the use of cancer screening tests. 

African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group in the US for most cancers. This publication provides the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths for African Americans, as well as the most recent statistics on cancer occurrence and information on cancer risk factors (e.g., tobacco use, obesity, and physical inactivity) and the use of cancer screening tests.

More systematic efforts to reduce tobacco use and obesity, improve diet, and increase physical activity and the use of established screening tests could alleviate additional cancer morbidity and mortality. However, the use of potentially lifesaving prevention and early detection measures is suboptimal and profoundly influenced by individual behaviors, as well as social, economic, and public policy factors.

The number of Americans with a history of cancer is growing due to the aging and growth of the population, as well as improving survival rates. This comprehensive survivorship report, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, provides current and projected cancer prevalence estimates for the United States, as well as data from the National Cancer Data Base on treatment patterns, and information on the common effects of cancer and its treatment.

This publication, now in its fourth edition, provides an overview of the international cancer burden, including the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths worldwide and by level of human development index, as well as detailed information on select cancer sites.

Visit the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center website to explore, interact with, and share cancer statistics. The website provides detailed statistics on a range of topics including:

• Estimated new cancer cases and deaths by sex, state, and cancer type in the current year
• Current cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates and trends for individual cancer sites
• Risk factors (e.g., obesity, cigarette smoking) and screening rates by state

The website can be used to:

• View and download maps, graphs, and charts
• Create custom downloadable maps, graphs, and charts
• Export data to Excel
• Share specific statistics that are important to readers

The Cancer Atlas, created by The American Cancer Society, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Union for International Cancer Control, is a one-stop shop for all of the best global cancer data available and offers in-depth insights into the cancer burden, major risk factors, and ways leaders worldwide can take action.