Cancer : Its Trend ,Linked Diseases And Risk Factors

Nearly 40% of Americans undergo a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, though specific types are more prevalent than others, according to statistics.

USAFacts, a nonprofit in Washington that analyzes and reports on government data, conducted an extensive examination of the most recent cancer data to uncover trends.

Among the 1.96 million new cancer cases reported in 2023, half comprised five primary types: breast cancer (15%), prostate cancer (15%), lung and bronchus cancer (12%), colorectal cancers (8%), and miscellaneous other types (50%).

In 2023, out of 0.69 Million cancer-related deaths, nearly half were attributed to lung and bronchus cancer (21%), colorectal cancers (9%), pancreatic cancer (8%), and breast cancer (7%).

The remaining 55% of deaths were linked to other types of cancer.

Despite an increase in overall cancer cases due to population growth, there has been a decline in both cancer diagnosis rates and mortality rates.

“Between 2000 and 2019, the incidence rate — or the rate of new cancer cases per 100,000 people — declined by nearly 6%, while the annual mortality rate fell by more than 25%,” stated the report.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida-based neurologist and longevity expert, commented on the findings, noting, “This suggests improvements in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.” Osborn, although not involved in the report, provided insights into the data.

Cancer Related Observations

1. Cancer Risk and Gender

According to the research based on records explored till 2019 , men faced a 15.4% higher likelihood of receiving a new cancer diagnosis and a 37.5% higher risk of succumbing to the disease compared to women.

However, this gap has narrowed since 2000 when the incidence rate of cancer among men exceeded that of women by more than 37%.

According to the USAFacts report, the most common cancers among men include prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. These three types collectively accounted for 50.8% of new cancer cases and 45.9% of cancer-related deaths among males in 2023. Conversely, among women, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most common. These cancers constituted 54% of new cancer diagnoses and 50% of cancer fatalities in 2023 for females.

2. Cancer , Its Ratio In Ethnic Groups

According to the report, White Americans exhibit the highest rate of new cancer diagnoses, followed by non-Hispanic Black Americans.

However, when it comes to cancer-related deaths, non-Hispanic Black Americans face the highest risk.

Conversely, non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander Americans have the lowest risk of both diagnosis and mortality.

While overall cancer incidence rates have decreased between 2000 and 2019 for almost every ethnic group, American Indian/Alaska Native individuals experienced a notable uptick of nearly 35% in diagnoses.

The report highlights that pinpointing the exact reasons behind these disparities is challenging, with potential contributing factors including access to healthcare, environmental conditions, lifestyle choices, and genetic differences.

3. Surviving Cancer Ratio

The 5 year survival rate for cancer has shown improvement, rising from 63.5% in 2000 to 68.4% in 2015, and this positive trajectory is expected to continue.

Better prevention, early detection, and treatment advancements are credited for this improvement. Survival rates, however, vary significantly by cancer type.

Thyroid cancer boasts the highest 5 year survival rate at 98.8%, followed by prostate cancer (96.5%), testicular cancer (95.7%), skin cancer (93.6%), and breast cancer (91.0%).

However, it’s important to recognize that estimated cancer deaths in 2023 may not align with the 5 Year survival rate between 2015 and 2020, as deaths in 2023 might stem from cancer cases diagnosed earlier.

4. Average Age of Cancer Diagnosis

The research suggests age as the predominant risk factor for cancer diagnosis. Diagnosis rates reveals a steady increase with each successive decade of life.

Data compiled by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from 2016 to 2020 reveals an average age of diagnosis at 66, with an average age of death at 72.

Although cancer can manifest at any age, early screenings are advised by experts to mitigate mortality rates.

5. Importance of Remaining Vigilant

Despite the strides made in cancer incidence and mortality rates, Researchers cautions against complacency.

Recent data from the American Cancer Society suggests a concerning trend: the incidence of six common cancers, linked to factors like excess body weight, is on the rise. These cancers include endometrial, liver, kidney, pancreas, colorectal, and breast cancer.

Research indicates that high obesity rates in the U.S. as a primary driver of this trend.

Recent figures from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reveal that over two in five adults (42.4%) are grappling with obesity—a precursor to cancer.

Without intervention to address the obesity epidemic, the progress seen in reducing new cancer cases and related mortality rates may stall or regress.

The trajectory of these developments prompts concern and underscores the importance of proactive measures.

The report by USAFacts was crafted utilizing data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).