Cancer in United States

United States

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. In their Cancer Facts & Figures 2023 report, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be over 1.9 million new cancer diagnoses in 2023. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for 31% of cases. Among men, it is prostate cancer, which accounts for 29% of cases. 

The most significant risk factor for cancer is aging — half of all new cancer diagnoses occur in adults ages 66 and older. Other cancer risks include cigarette and tobacco use, environmental carcinogens, genetic factors and viral and bacterial infections. 

In 2015, the annual cost of cancer care in the U.S. was approximately $182.7 billion. That number is expected to rise to $246 billion by 2030 — a 34% increase. In addition, the estimated cost of lost productivity from cancer mortality was predicted to be $147.6 billion in 2020.

According to America’s Health Rankings data, the prevalence of cancer is higher among: 

• Women compared with men.
• Adults ages 65 and older compared with adults ages 18-44.
• White and American Indian/Alaska Native adults compared with Asian and Hispanic adults.
• Adults with some post-high school education compared with those with less than a high school education. 
• Adults with an annual household income less than $75,000 compared with those with incomes of $75,000 or more.
• Adults living in non-metropolitan areas compared with those in metropolitan areas.
• Adults who have difficulty hearing compared with adults without a disability. 
• Straight adults compared with LGBQ+ adults.
• Adults who have served in the U.S. armed forces compared with adults who have not.

While there is no universal cure for cancer, rates of cancer and cancer deaths can be lowered through various means, including: 

• Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking at any age lowers the risk of developing cancer — smoking is responsible for approximately 30% of cancer deaths. Engaging in more physical activity and reducing alcohol consumption are also associated with a lower risk of certain cancers. 
• Vaccination: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps protect against cancers associated with HPV infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that up to 93% of cervical cancers could be prevented through HPV screening and vaccination. Additionally, the hepatitis B vaccine can help reduce the risk of liver cancer.
• Screening: Routine recommended screening for breast and colon cancer can improve outcomes by detecting cancer in its earlier stages. 
• Sunscreen: Melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, and other skin cancers can be reduced by avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours, by wearing hats, long sleeves and sunglasses, and by using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. 

Increasing access to services for prevention, early detection and high-quality cancer treatment may help reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities in cancer deaths. Information on specific screening, counseling and prevention recommendations for cancer are available from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and The Community Guide.

Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to cancer, including:

• Reducing the overall cancer death rate.
• Increasing the quality of life for cancer survivors.
• Increasing the proportion of adults who get screened for colorectal cancer.

American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts & Figures 2023.” Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf.

Bradley, Cathy J., K. Robin Yabroff, Bassam Dahman, Eric J. Feuer, Angela Mariotto, and Martin L. Brown. “Productivity Costs of Cancer Mortality in the United States: 2000–2020.” JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute 100, no. 24 (December 17, 2008): 1763–70. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djn384.

Joseph, Djenaba A. “Use of Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening.” MMWR Supplements 65, no. 1 (2016). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su6501a5.

Mariotto, Angela B., Lindsey Enewold, Jingxuan Zhao, Christopher A. Zeruto, and K. Robin Yabroff. “Medical Care Costs Associated with Cancer Survivorship in the United States.” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 29, no. 7 (July 2020): 1304–12. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-1534.