Percent of cancer
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends
Overview of Cancer Statistics
Cancer remains a significant public health challenge globally and in the United States. In 2022, the American Cancer Society projected 1,918,030 new cancer cases and 609,360 cancer deaths in the U.S.. This trend continued into 2023, with an estimated 1,958,310 new cases and 609,820 deaths. Globally, the GLOBOCAN 2020 report estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer deaths.
Trends in Cancer Incidence
United States
In the U.S., cancer incidence trends have shown variability across different types of cancer and demographic groups. For instance, prostate cancer incidence increased by 3% annually from 2014 to 2019 after two decades of decline, resulting in an additional 99,000 new cases. Conversely, lung cancer incidence has been declining, particularly for advanced stages, while localized-stage diagnoses have increased. Breast cancer incidence has seen a slow increase of 0.5% annually from 2014 to 2018.
Global Perspective
Globally, female breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer, surpassing lung cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases in 2020. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, followed by colorectal, liver, stomach, and female breast cancers.
Trends in Cancer Mortality
United States
Cancer mortality rates in the U.S. have been on a continuous decline. From 1991 to 2018, the cancer death rate fell by 31%, translating to 3.2 million fewer cancer deaths than if peak rates had persisted. This decline is attributed to reductions in smoking and advancements in early detection and treatment. Notably, lung cancer mortality has seen accelerated declines, contributing significantly to the overall reduction in cancer deaths. However, mortality rates for breast and prostate cancers have either slowed or stabilized .
Global Perspective
Globally, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for 18% of all cancer deaths in 2020. The global cancer burden is expected to rise to 28.4 million cases by 2040, a 47% increase from 2020, with a more significant rise in transitioning countries due to demographic changes and increasing risk factors.
Disparities in Cancer Incidence and Mortality
United States
Disparities in cancer incidence and mortality persist across different demographic groups in the U.S. For example, the cancer death rate is 14% higher in non-Hispanic Blacks compared to non-Hispanic Whites, with even larger disparities among those under 65 years old. Additionally, prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates have shown significant racial disparities, with higher rates observed in Black men.
Global Perspective
Globally, cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher in transitioned countries compared to transitioning countries. However, death rates for female breast and cervical cancers are considerably higher in transitioning countries. This highlights the need for improved cancer prevention and care infrastructure in these regions.
Conclusion
While significant progress has been made in reducing cancer mortality rates, challenges remain, particularly with rising incidence rates for certain cancers and persistent disparities across demographic groups. Continued investment in cancer control measures, early detection, and treatment advancements are crucial for further reducing the global cancer burden.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic