Cancer Survival Rates Hit Record High, Though Deadliest Types Remain Major Threat to Americans

Cancer Survival Rates Reach Record High, American Cancer Society Reports

People diagnosed with cancer are living longer than ever before, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The organization’s 75th annual Cancer Statistics Report reveals that the five-year cancer survival rate in the United States has now reached 70%, a significant improvement from just 50% in the mid-1970s.

These encouraging statistics reflect decades of progress in cancer research that has led to more effective treatments, transforming cancer from what was once considered a death sentence into what increasingly resembles a manageable chronic condition for many patients.

“Decades of improvements in both early detection and treatment approaches have contributed to this remarkable progress,” the report notes. The researchers specifically highlighted how screening programs for breast and prostate cancers have played crucial roles in improving survival outcomes.

The development of targeted therapies has been particularly impactful for certain cancer types. “For example, survival has improved for some types of leukemia because of the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which allow most patients to have a near-normal life expectancy,” the researchers explained in a press release accompanying the report.

Specific cancer types have seen dramatic improvements in survival rates. Liver cancer survival increased from just 7% in the 1990s to 22% in 2023. Lung cancer survival rates nearly doubled from 15% to 28%, while myeloma survival rates showed an impressive jump from 32% to 62%.

Perhaps most encouraging is the improvement in outcomes for advanced cancers. “Survival has improved for people with regional-stage disease and distant-stage disease,” the ACS noted. “In fact, for all distant-stage cancers combined, the relative survival rate doubled from 17% in the mid-1990s to 35% for those diagnosed from 2015 to 2021.”

Dr. Calvin Chao, VP of medical science at California-based Artera, told Fox News Digital that while the 70% survival rate represents clear progress, “statistics alone tell only part of the story.”

“Many factors contribute to these improved outcomes, and one of the most significant is the use of personalized, clinically validated approaches that leverage predictive insights to guide therapy,” Chao explained. He emphasized the importance of reducing unnecessary side effects by avoiding ineffective treatments while ensuring patients receive novel therapies when beneficial.

Dr. Yvonne Estrin, a breast radiologist at Pembroke Pink, pointed to the critical role of early detection in driving survival improvements. “With screening mammography and annual mammograms now beginning at age 40, we are detecting breast cancer at a very early and treatable stage. This leads to a decrease in morbidity and mortality,” she said.

Despite these positive trends, cancer remains a significant health challenge. The ACS estimates approximately 2.1 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2026—roughly 5,800 diagnoses daily. Among women, breast cancer continues to be the most common diagnosis, occurring more than twice as frequently as lung cancer, which ranks second. Liver cancer, melanoma, and uterine cancer rates are also increasing among women.

For men, prostate cancer incidence continues to rise and is diagnosed twice as often as lung cancer. The report also identified concerning increases in oral cavity and pancreatic cancers for both genders.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, attributed the survival improvements to multiple factors. “There is more awareness of cancer risks and symptoms, and much better screening,” he said. “Earlier diagnosis is leading to earlier treatments.” He also cited advancements in personalized approaches, including targeted antibody therapies, immunotherapy, and sophisticated surgical techniques.

Cancer remains the leading cause of death for American men between 60 and 79 years old and women between 40 and 79 years old. Overall, it ranks as the second most common cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease. The ACS projects 626,140 cancer deaths in the United States in 2026, approximately 1,720 deaths daily.

However, death rates have been declining steadily. Since peaking in 1991, overall cancer mortality has dropped by 34%, preventing an estimated 4.8 million deaths through 2023. Lung cancer deaths have fallen dramatically—62% for men since 1990 and 38% for women since 2002. Prostate cancer mortality has decreased 53% since 1993, while colorectal cancer death rates have declined 55% for men between 1980 and 2023. For women, breast cancer death rates have dropped 44% since 1989.

These statistics reflect a healthcare success story decades in the making, suggesting that continued advances in early detection, targeted treatments, and personalized medicine could further transform cancer outcomes in the years ahead.