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. Nearly 14.5 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive on January 1, 2014, not including carcinoma in situ (non-invasive cancer) of any site except urinary bladder, and not including basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. It is estimated that by January 1, 2024, the population of cancer survivors will increase to almost 19 million: 9.3 million males and 9.6 million females.
The three most common cancers among male survivors are prostate (43%), colon and rectum (9%), and melanoma (8%). Among female survivors, the most common cancers are breast (41%), uterine corpus (8%), and colon and rectum (8%).
The majority of cancer survivors (64%) were diagnosed 5 or more years ago, and 15% were diagnosed 20 or more years ago. Almost half (45%) of cancer survivors are 70 years of age or older, while only 5% are younger than 40 years.
This newest title in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts and Figures series, a collaboration with 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 contains information about treatment, survival, and other related concerns for the most common cancer types, as well as information on the side effects of cancer treatment.
Please note that any reproduction or re-use should credit the appropriate American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures publication and include a statement of copyright and identify the data source used.
Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts & Figures publications are available for free download as full-text PDF files.