Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates. The report, one of the most widely cited medical journal articles each year, is published in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and provides evidence of current patterns that can aid efforts to reduce the health burden of cancer.

The report finds cancer accounts for approximately 23 percent of all deaths and is the leading cause of death of Americans under age 85, when deaths are aggregated by age. Among men, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers account for more than half of all newly diagnosed cancers (56 percent). Prostate cancer alone accounts for one in three cases (33 percent). Breast, lung, and colorectal cancers will account for more than half of new cancers among women (55 percent). Breast cancer alone is expected to account for one in three new cancer cases (32 percent).

Death rates for all cancer sites combined decreased 1.5 percent per year from 1993 to 2001 in men and 0.8 percent per year from 1992 to 2001 in women. Lung cancer remains the top cancer killer in both sexes, responsible for nearly one in three cancer deaths in men (31 percent) and about one in four deaths among women (27 percent). The four most common cancers among men and women in the United States (lung, colon, breast, and prostate) together account for half of all cancer deaths. Mortality rates for these cancer sites continue to decrease, with the exception of female lung cancer, which has leveled off for the first time after several decades of increase.

Incidence rates are mixed. Lung cancer continues to decrease in men and has leveled off in women for the first time after decades of increase. Colorectal cancer incidence rates dropped between 1998 and 2001 in both men and women. Prostate and female breast cancer rates have continued to increase, although at a slower rate than in years past. The increase may be due to screening using PSA testing (prostate cancer) and mammography (breast cancer). The increase in female breast cancer may also reflect increased use of hormone replacement therapy and/or increased prevalence of obesity.

The American Cancer Society's estimate of new cancer cases and deaths projects there will be 1,372,910 new cancer cases in the United States in 2005 and 570,280 cancer deaths, or about 1,500 per day.

SOURCES:
American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org)
CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, January/February 2005