How many cancers are there
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Summary
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that there are numerous types of cancers, with lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, uterine corpus, liver, and stomach cancers being among the most common and leading causes of cancer death worldwide.
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Overview of Cancer Types and Statistics
Global Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Global Cancer Burden
As of 2020, there were an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer deaths worldwide. The most commonly diagnosed cancers globally were female breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, while the leading causes of cancer death were lung, liver, and stomach cancers . This represents a significant increase from 2018, which saw 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer deaths.
Geographic Variability
Cancer incidence and mortality rates vary significantly across different regions of the world. For instance, lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among males globally, while breast cancer holds these distinctions among females . The variation in cancer types and outcomes is largely influenced by economic development, lifestyle factors, and the availability of high-quality cancer registry data.
Cancer Statistics in the United States
Annual Estimates
In the United States, the American Cancer Society provides annual estimates of new cancer cases and deaths. For 2023, it is projected that there will be 1,958,310 new cancer cases and 609,820 cancer deaths. This is an increase from previous years, with 1,918,030 new cases and 609,360 deaths estimated for 2022, and 1,806,590 new cases and 606,520 deaths for 2020.
Trends in Cancer Incidence and Mortality
The incidence of certain cancers has shown varying trends over the years. For example, prostate cancer incidence increased by 3% annually from 2014 to 2019 after two decades of decline, while lung cancer incidence in women decreased at half the pace of men from 2015 to 2019. Despite these trends, the overall cancer death rate in the U.S. has been declining, with a 33% reduction since 1991, translating to an estimated 3.8 million deaths averted.
Specific Cancer Types
Leading Cancers by Incidence
Globally, the most commonly diagnosed cancers include:
- Female Breast Cancer: 2.3 million new cases in 2020.
- Lung Cancer: 2.21 million new cases in 2020.
- Colorectal Cancer: 1.93 million new cases in 2020.
Leading Causes of Cancer Death
The leading causes of cancer death worldwide are:
- Lung Cancer: 1.8 million deaths in 2020.
- Liver Cancer: 830,000 deaths in 2020.
- Stomach Cancer: 769,000 deaths in 2020.
Future Projections
Increasing Cancer Burden
The global cancer burden is expected to rise significantly, with projections estimating 28.4 million new cancer cases by 2040. This increase is anticipated to be more pronounced in transitioning countries due to demographic changes and increasing risk factors associated with globalization and economic growth.
Need for Improved Cancer Control
Efforts to build sustainable infrastructure for cancer prevention and care, particularly in transitioning countries, are critical for managing the future global cancer burden. Enhanced cancer control interventions and investments in early detection and treatment are essential to reduce cancer mortality rates.
Conclusion
Cancer remains a major global health challenge with significant variability in incidence and mortality across different regions. While progress has been made in reducing cancer death rates, particularly in high-income countries, the rising incidence of certain cancers and the projected increase in global cancer burden underscore the need for continued efforts in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
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