Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures
The Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts & Figures, 2023-2024 is an educational companion for “Updated Review of Major Cancer Risk Factors and Screening Test Use in the United States, with a Focus on Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a scientific paper published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.
Every person can take two actions to greatly reduce their risk of developing and dying from the most common types of cancer in the United States:
(1) Make efforts to reduce those harmful everyday habits that increase the risk of developing cancer.
(2) Follow the guidelines for recommended cancer screenings.
In the United States for 2023, 45% of the 609,820 cancer deaths estimated to occur are expected to be attributable to cancer risk factors that are all potentially modifiable. For instance, people can make efforts to change their lifestyle to reduce the risk of cancer from:
- Cigarette smoking
- Secondhand smoke exposure
- Excess body weight
- Alcohol intake
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Ultraviolet radiation exposure
- Cancer-associated infections
Cancer screening tests can also help prevent thousands of additional cancer cases and deaths.
This Facts & Figures report provides the latest data and information on the:
- Most common risk factors for cancer that can potentially be modified
- Preventative vaccinations
- Use of cancer screening tests
- Social, economic, and public policy factors that profoundly influence a person’s behaviors
See the press release: "New ACS Report Finds Smoking, Alcohol Use, Physical Inactivity Decreased During COVID-19; Worsening Trends in Obesity, Cervical Cancer Screening"
Glossary for Nonscientists
Featured Term:
Health care barriers
Factors that prevent a person from getting to (accessing) quality health care and services, which may include lack of adequate health insurance, location of health centers, available transportation, and time off from work.
Citations, Credits, & Permissions
Suggested citation: Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2023-2024. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2023-2024.
Please note that any reproduction or re-use should credit the appropriate American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures publication and include a statement of copyright.