The American Cancer Society (ACS) anticipates that 2024 will witness a grim milestone in the United States, as new cancer cases are projected to surpass the 2-million mark for the first time. This unsettling prediction translates to almost 5,500 new cancer diagnoses each day, raising concerns about the nation’s overall health.
Over the past three decades, the risk of succumbing to cancer has shown a consistent decline, sparing an estimated 4 million lives in the United States.
This positive trend can be attributed to significant victories in smoking cessation, advancements in early cancer detection, and strides in treatment methodologies.
Despite the overall reduction in cancer mortality rates, the incidence of several common cancers is on the rise. The aging and growth of the population, coupled with increased diagnoses of six of the top ten most prevalent cancers, namely breast, prostate, endometrial, pancreatic, kidney, and melanoma, contribute to this disconcerting trend. Lung, colon and rectum, bladder, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma complete the list of the ten most common cancers.
The ACS projects over 611,000 deaths from cancer in the U.S. in 2024, translating to more than 1,600 deaths daily. These estimates are derived from the recently published “Cancer Statistics, 2024” in the ACS’s flagship journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and the accompanying consumer-friendly report, Cancer Facts & Figures 2024.
Rising incidences of common cancers, particularly those linked to excess body weight, pose a threat to the decades-long decline in cancer mortality. Notably, colorectal cancer in individuals younger than 55, liver cancer in women, oral cancers associated with HPV, and cervical cancer in women aged 30 through 44 are showing upward trends.
The ACS emphasizes that despite the lack of early detection methods for most cancers, screening tests for breast, prostate, colorectal, and cervical cancers can play a pivotal role in prevention. Colorectal and cervical cancer screenings can identify precancerous lesions that can be removed, potentially preventing cancer altogether.
A striking observation is the increase in cancer diagnoses among younger individuals. The proportion of people under 50 diagnosed with cancer increased from 15% to 12% between 1995 and 2020. Colorectal cancer, in particular, has surged in individuals under 50, emerging as the leading cause of cancer death in men younger than 50 and the second cause in women of the same age.
Racial disparities persist in cancer outcomes, with Black individuals experiencing double the death rates for certain cancers compared to White individuals. Similarly, American Indian and Alaska Native populations face higher death rates for specific cancers. Hispanic individuals have lower rates of common cancers but higher rates of infection-related cancers, such as cervical cancer.
The report also highlights the unique risks faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, pointing out disparities in cancer outcomes across prevention, early detection, and treatment. However, limited data hampers comprehensive understanding and targeted interventions.
The ACS concludes that obstacles to health and timely cancer diagnosis are more pronounced in minority communities, citing historical racial discrimination as a contributing factor. Efforts to bridge these disparities are crucial for ensuring equitable access to preventive measures and treatment.
The report serves as a stark reminder that despite progress in cancer treatment and early detection, challenges persist. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on cancer statistics is yet to be fully understood, with researchers expecting delays in diagnoses and potentially worse outcomes in the coming years. As the nation grapples with these challenges, a comprehensive and inclusive approach to cancer prevention and care becomes increasingly imperative.