Cancer remains a significant health concern in the United States, impacting millions of lives annually. For those in the automotive repair industry and beyond, understanding the prevalence and impact of different cancers is crucial for community awareness and support. This article delves into the common cancer diagnosis list in the U.S., providing a comprehensive overview of new cases, mortality rates, and key trends. Leveraging data from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute’s SEER program, we present a detailed analysis of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and their impact on public health.
Cancer Statistics: Key Insights at a Glance
To grasp the scope of cancer in the U.S., it’s essential to look at the overall numbers. Certain cancers are diagnosed far more frequently than others, and similarly, some contribute to a larger proportion of cancer-related deaths. Understanding these common diagnoses is the first step in addressing this complex disease.
Common New Cancer Diagnoses in 2024
In 2024, projections indicate that nearly 50% of all new cancer cases will stem from four primary types: breast, lung and bronchus, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Breast cancer is anticipated to be the most common diagnosis.
| Cancer Type | Estimated New Cases (2024) | Percentage of Total New Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Breast | 313,510 | 16% |
| Prostate | 299,010 | 15% |
| Lung & Bronchus | 234,580 | 12% |
| Colon and Rectum | 152,810 | 8% |
| Other Cancer Types | 1,001,230 | 50% |
Leading Causes of Cancer Deaths in 2024
While diagnosis rates are important, mortality statistics reveal the deadliest forms of cancer. Lung and bronchus, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers are predicted to account for almost half of all cancer deaths in 2024.
| Cancer Type | Estimated Deaths (2024) | Percentage of Total Cancer Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Lung & Bronchus | 125,070 | 20% |
| Colon and Rectum | 53,010 | 9% |
| Pancreas | 51,750 | 8% |
| Breast | 42,780 | 7% |
| Other Cancer Types | 339,110 | 55% |
Understanding New Cancer Diagnoses in Detail
Approximately 2.0 million individuals in the U.S. are expected to receive a cancer diagnosis in 2024. Breast cancer stands out as the most prevalent cancer, with an estimated 310,720 diagnoses for women and 2,790 for men. Prostate cancer is the second most common overall and the leading cancer diagnosis among men, with about 299,010 anticipated cases. Lung and bronchus cancer follows as the third most common, with around 234,580 new cases projected.
The top 12 most frequently diagnosed cancer sites encompass over three-quarters of all new cancer cases. For a more extensive list of cancer sites and comparative data, refer to the section on cancer rate comparisons.
Common Cancer Diagnoses by Sex in 2024
Breaking down the Common Diagnosis List by sex reveals some key differences.
Common Cancer Diagnoses in Males
| Cancer Type | Estimated New Cases |
|---|---|
| Prostate | 299,010 |
| Lung & Bronchus | 116,310 |
| Colorectal | 81,540 |
| Urinary Bladder | 63,070 |
| Melanoma of the Skin | 59,170 |
| Kidney and Renal Pelvis | 52,380 |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 44,590 |
| Leukemia | 36,450 |
| Pancreas | 34,530 |
| Thyroid | 12,500 |
| Breast | 2,790 |
| Uterus | 0 |
Common Cancer Diagnoses in Females
| Cancer Type | Estimated New Cases |
|---|---|
| Breast | 310,720 |
| Lung & Bronchus | 118,270 |
| Colorectal | 71,270 |
| Corpus & Uterus, NOS | 67,880 |
| Melanoma of the Skin | 41,470 |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 36,030 |
| Thyroid | 31,520 |
| Pancreas | 31,910 |
| Kidney and Renal Pelvis | 29,230 |
| Leukemia | 26,320 |
| Urinary Bladder | 20,120 |
| Prostate | 0 |
Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2024, American Cancer Society (ACS), Atlanta, Georgia, 2024.
Cancer Mortality: Understanding the Deadliest Diagnoses
In 2024, it’s projected that approximately 611,720 cancer-related deaths will occur in the United States. Lung and bronchus cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, with an estimated 125,070 fatalities. This is nearly three times higher than colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer mortality, which is expected to cause 53,010 deaths. Pancreatic cancer is the third deadliest, contributing to 51,750 deaths.
The eight deadliest cancer sites are responsible for almost two-thirds of all anticipated cancer deaths. Further details on cancer site comparisons are available in a dedicated section below.
Leading Cancer Deaths by Sex in 2024
Analyzing cancer deaths by sex provides further insight into the impact of different cancer types.
Leading Cancer Deaths in Males
| Cancer Type | Estimated Deaths |
|---|---|
| Lung and bronchus | 65,790 |
| Prostate | 35,250 |
| Colon and rectum | 28,700 |
| Pancreas | 27,270 |
| Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 19,120 |
| Leukemia | 13,640 |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 11,780 |
| Breast | 530 |
Leading Cancer Deaths in Females
| Cancer Type | Estimated Deaths |
|---|---|
| Lung and bronchus | 59,280 |
| Breast | 42,250 |
| Colon and rectum | 24,310 |
| Pancreas | 24,480 |
| Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 10,720 |
| Leukemia | 10,030 |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 8,360 |
| Prostate | 0 |
Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2024, American Cancer Society (ACS), Atlanta, Georgia, 2024.
Comparing Cancer Rates: Incidence, Mortality, and Survival
To effectively compare cancer burdens, statistics are often presented as rates per 100,000 people. Incidence refers to the rate of new cancer cases, while mortality indicates the death rate. These rates are adjusted based on the population group being considered (e.g., rates for females are per 100,000 females in the U.S.).
The following table provides a comprehensive comparison of cancer sites, including estimated new cases and deaths for 2024, age-adjusted rates from recent years, and the five-year relative survival rate, which signifies the percentage of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis.
Learn more about cancer incidence
Learn more about cancer mortality
Learn more about relative survival rate
| Site | Estimated New Cases (2024) | Rate of New Cases (2017–2021) | Estimated Deaths (2024) | Death Rate (2018–2022) | Relative Survival (%) (2014–2020) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bladder | 83,190 | 18.2 | 16,840 | 4.1 | 78.4 |
| Breast | 313,510 | 68.4 | 42,780 | 10.6 | 91.1 |
| Colon and Rectum | 152,810 | 36.5 | 53,010 | 12.9 | 65.0 |
| Lung and Bronchus | 234,580 | 49.0 | 125,070 | 32.4 | 26.7 |
| Melanoma of the Skin | 100,640 | 21.2 | 8,290 | 2.0 | 94.1 |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 80,620 | 18.6 | 20,140 | 5.0 | 74.3 |
| Pancreas | 66,440 | 13.5 | 51,750 | 11.2 | 12.8 |
| Prostate | 299,010 | 116.5 | 35,250 | 19.0 | 97.5 |
| Thyroid | 44,020 | 13.5 | 2,170 | 0.5 | 98.4 |
| Uterus | 67,880 | 28.0 | 13,250 | 5.2 | 80.8 |
| Leukemia | 62,770 | 14.1 | 23,670 | 5.9 | 67.0 |
| Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 41,630 | 9.4 | 29,840 | 6.6 | 21.7 |
| Ovary | 19,680 | 10.2 | 12,740 | 6.0 | 50.9 |
| Stomach | 26,890 | 7.0 | 10,880 | 2.7 | 36.4 |
| Kidney and Renal Pelvis | 81,610 | 17.2 | 14,390 | 3.4 | 78.1 |
| Oral Cavity and Pharynx | 58,450 | 11.5 | 12,230 | 2.6 | 69.0 |
| Esophagus | 22,370 | 4.2 | 16,130 | 3.7 | 21.6 |
| Brain and Other Nervous System | 25,400 | 6.2 | 18,760 | 4.4 | 33.4 |
| Cervix Uteri | 13,820 | 7.6 | 4,360 | 2.2 | 67.4 |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma | 8,570 | 2.5 | 910 | 0.3 | 88.9 |
| Larynx | 12,650 | 2.6 | 3,880 | 0.9 | 61.5 |
| Myeloma | 35,780 | 7.2 | 12,540 | 3.0 | 61.1 |
| Small Intestine | 12,440 | 2.5 | 2,090 | 0.4 | 70.2 |
| Testis | 9,760 | 5.9 | 500 | 0.3 | 95.0 |
| Anus | 10,540 | 1.9 | 2,190 | 0.4 | 70.6 |
| Bone and Joint | 3,970 | 1.0 | 2,050 | 0.5 | 68.2 |
| Vulva | 6,900 | 2.6 | 1,630 | 0.6 | 69.6 |
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Common Cancer Diagnoses
Cancer incidence and mortality rates differ significantly across racial and ethnic groups. The following data highlights these disparities for the most common cancer diagnoses.
New Cancer Cases: Rates by Race and Ethnicity
| Cancer Site | All Races | Hispanic | NH AI/AN | NH API | NH Black | NH White |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female Breast | 129.4 | 101.2 | 113.0 | 110.3 | 129.3 | 139.0 |
| Colon and Rectum | 36.5 | 33.5 | 49.2 | 29.4 | 42.1 | 36.9 |
| Lung & Bronchus | 49.0 | 26.0 | 49.2 | 33.7 | 52.5 | 55.4 |
| Prostate | 116.5 | 88.1 | 76.7 | 61.4 | 188.7 | 114.9 |
Age-adjusted rates of new cases, SEER 22, 2017–2021. NH = Non-Hispanic, AI/AN = American Indian/Alaska Native, API = Asian & Pacific Islander.
Cancer Death Rates: Disparities by Race and Ethnicity
Mortality rates also exhibit racial and ethnic variations. The graph below illustrates death rates for the five deadliest cancers across different groups.
| Cancer Site | All Races | Hispanic | NH AI/AN | NH API | NH Black | NH White |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female Breast | 19.3 | 13.7 | 17.8 | 11.9 | 26.8 | 19.4 |
| Colon and Rectum | 12.9 | 10.7 | 17.4 | 9.1 | 16.7 | 12.9 |
| Lung & Bronchus | 32.4 | 14.6 | 33.3 | 18.7 | 34.3 | 35.4 |
| Pancreas | 11.2 | 8.9 | 10.6 | 7.7 | 13.6 | 11.4 |
| Prostate | 19.0 | 15.4 | 19.4 | 8.8 | 37.2 | 18.1 |
Age-adjusted death rates, U.S., 2018–2022. NH = Non-Hispanic, AI/AN = American Indian/Alaska Native, API = Asian & Pacific Islander.
Trends in Cancer Rates: Progress and Challenges
Analyzing trends in cancer rates over time is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of prevention and treatment efforts.
Recent Trends in New Cancer Case Rates
Between 2017 and 2021, overall new cancer case rates remained stable for both men and women in the U.S. Encouragingly, many common cancers showed a decrease in new cases during this period. Lung and bronchus cancer exhibited the most significant decrease for both sexes.
Trends in New Cancer Cases (Average Annual Percent Change)
Males
| Cancer Type | AAPC (2017-2021) |
|---|---|
| Lung and Bronchus | -3.7* |
| Larynx | -2.8* |
| Bladder | -1.3* |
| Brain and Other Nervous System | -1.3* |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma | -1.2* |
| Thyroid | -1.1* |
| Colon and Rectum | -1.0* |
| Esophagus | -0.5 |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | -0.4* |
| Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct | -0.4 |
| All Sites | 0.0 |
| Leukemia | 0.1 |
| Oral Cavity and Pharynx | 0.6* |
| Myeloma | 0.6* |
| Testis | 0.7* |
| Stomach | 0.7 |
| Kidney and Renal Pelvis | 0.8* |
| Pancreas | 0.9* |
| Melanoma of the Skin | 1.0* |
| Prostate | 3.3* |
Females
| Cancer Type | AAPC (2017-2021) |
|---|---|
| Lung and Bronchus | -2.3* |
| Larynx | -2.3* |
| Thyroid | -2.1* |
| Ovary | -1.5* |
| Bladder | -1.3* |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma | -0.9* |
| Colon and Rectum | -0.7* |
| Cervix Uteri | -0.7 |
| Brain and Other Nervous System | -0.5* |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | -0.4* |
| Esophagus | 0.0 |
| Oral Cavity and Pharynx | 0.6* |
| Leukemia | 0.6* |
| All Sites | 0.7 |
| Kidney and Renal Pelvis | 0.8* |
| Pancreas | 0.9* |
| Melanoma of the Skin | 1.2 |
| Uterus | 1.3* |
| Myeloma | 1.4* |
| Breast | 1.4* |
| Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 1.7* |
| Stomach | 3.3* |
AVERAGE ANNUAL PERCENT CHANGE (AAPC) 2017–2021. * AAPC is significantly different from zero (p<0.05). Rates are age-adjusted and adjusted for reporting delay in the registry. The 2020 incidence rate is not used in the calculation of trends. Impact of COVID on SEER Cancer Incidence 2020 data
Recent Trends in Cancer Death Rates
Between 2018 and 2022, overall cancer death rates continued to decline, decreasing by an average of 1.9% per year for men and 1.3% for women. Many common cancers contributed to this positive trend, with significant decreases in death rates. However, testicular cancer in men and uterine cancer in women showed increases in death rates during this period.
Trends in Death Rates (Average Annual Percent Change)
Males
| Cancer Type | AAPC (2018-2022) |
|---|---|
| Lung and Bronchus | -4.5* |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma | -2.8* |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | -2.6* |
| Stomach | -2.5* |
| Myeloma | -2.1* |
| Leukemia | -2.0* |
| All Sites | -1.9* |
| Melanoma of the Skin | -1.5* |
| Kidney and Renal Pelvis | -1.5* |
| Bladder | -1.5* |
| Esophagus | -1.3* |
| Colon and Rectum | -1.3* |
| Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct | -1.2* |
| Brain and Other Nervous System | -0.9 |
| Larynx | -0.7 |
| Thyroid | -0.6 |
| Prostate | -0.6* |
| Pancreas | 0.3* |
| Oral Cavity and Pharynx | 0.8* |
| Testis | 4.6* |
Females
| Cancer Type | AAPC (2018-2022) |
|---|---|
| Lung and Bronchus | -3.4* |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | -2.5* |
| Ovary | -2.4* |
| Larynx | -2.2* |
| Myeloma | -2.0* |
| Stomach | -1.8* |
| Leukemia | -1.8* |
| Colon and Rectum | -1.8* |
| Kidney and Renal Pelvis | -1.6* |
| Bladder | -1.6* |
| Breast | -1.5* |
| All Sites | -1.3* |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma | -1.2 |
| Melanoma of the Skin | -0.9 |
| Esophagus | -0.8 |
| Cervix Uteri | -0.7* |
| Brain and Other Nervous System | -0.5 |
| Thyroid | 0.1 |
| Pancreas | 0.2 |
| Oral Cavity and Pharynx | 0.9* |
| Uterus | 1.1* |
| Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 0.7* |
AVERAGE ANNUAL PERCENT CHANGE (AAPC) 2018–2022. *AAPC is significantly different from zero (p<0.05). Rates are age-adjusted.
Learn more about Average annual percent change (AAPC)
Cancer in the Broader Context of U.S. Mortality
Understanding cancer’s impact requires comparing it to other leading causes of death in the U.S.
Cancer Compared to Other Leading Causes of Death (2022)
In 2022, cancer accounted for 18.5% of all deaths in the United States, making it the second leading cause of death after heart disease. Together, heart disease and cancer were responsible for nearly half of all deaths. Notably, cancer is the leading cause of death for individuals under 65 years of age.
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Heart Disease | 702,853 |
| Cancer | 608,366 |
| Accidents (Unintentional Injury) | 227,020 |
| Stroke (Cerebrovascular) | 165,391 |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases | 147,380 |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | 120,122 |
| Diabetes | 101,207 |
| Nephritis & Nephrosis | 57,937 |
| Intentional Self-Harm (Suicide) | 49,473 |
| Pneumonia & Influenza | 47,051 |
Trends in U.S. Death Rates: Heart Disease vs. Cancer
Death rates for heart disease have significantly declined across all age groups since 1975. While cancer death rates (Neoplasms) have also decreased slightly overall, the progress has been less pronounced than for heart disease.
Death Rates for Ages Under 65
| Year | Heart Disease Rate per 100,000 | Heart Disease % of Total Deaths | Cancer Rate per 100,000 | Cancer % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 98.6 | 26 | 84.0 | 22 |
| 2022 | 39.0 | 16 | 43.6 | 18 |
Death Rates for Ages 65+
| Year | Heart Disease Rate per 100,000 | Heart Disease % of Total Deaths | Cancer Rate per 100,000 | Cancer % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 2734.9 | 44 | 995.2 | 18 |
| 2022 | 1055.0 | 23 | 821.9 | 19 |
Source: U.S. Mortality Files, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates are age-adjusted.
Interactive Cancer Statistics with SEER*Explorer
For more in-depth and customizable cancer statistics, the SEER*Explorer tool offers powerful interactive capabilities.
SEER*Explorer allows you to:
- Create custom graphs and tables
- Download data and images
- Share links to your results
Explore Additional Cancer Statistics with SEER*Explorer
Further Resources on Cancer Surveillance
To delve deeper into cancer surveillance and related topics, consider these resources:
References
The statistics presented in this report are derived from SEER and the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Most data can be accessed through SEER*Explorer. The 2024 estimates for new cases and deaths are projections by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Suggested Citation
SEER Cancer Statistics Factsheets: Common Cancer Sites. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/common.html
This information is in the public domain and can be reproduced without permission, with citation appreciated.
This article provides an overview of the common cancer diagnosis list in the U.S., offering valuable insights into cancer prevalence, mortality, trends, and disparities. Understanding these statistics is crucial for informed discussions and effective strategies to combat cancer.
