Cancer survival rates are rising in America

Survival rates have improved to unprecedented levels for cancer patients, according to the American Cancer Society’s 2026 annual report, although cancer remains one of the most serious health challenges in the United States, continuing to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually.

The latest data from the American Cancer Society indicates that the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined in the United States has risen to about 70% for the first time, compared to about 50% in the mid-1970s.

This improvement reflects decades of investment in early detection programs, the development of innovative treatments, and reliance on personalized medicine in clinical practice.

Some types of cancer that were considered the most difficult to treat have also seen remarkable improvement, with survival rates for liver cancer rising from about 7% to 22%, and for lung cancer from 15% to 28%, while survival rates for myeloma patients have almost doubled to 62%.

High death tolls despite gains

Despite these positive indicators, cancer remains a leading cause of death in the United States, with an expected 2.1 million new cases and 626,000 deaths during 2026, equivalent to about 1,720 deaths per day. Lung cancer is the leading cause, followed by colorectal cancer and then pancreatic cancer.

The report indicates that the greatest burden falls on men aged 60 to 79 and women aged 40 to 79, reflecting the interaction of age and lifestyle factors with the risk of developing the disease.

Unequal gains

Health experts warn that high survival rates do not mean the end of the danger, as progress remains uneven across regions and social groups, and success rates vary depending on the type of cancer.

Factors that improve survival rates include early detection, the availability of advanced treatments, increased community awareness, and disparities in access to healthcare services.

Regular screening programs such as mammograms for early detection of breast cancer are a clear example of the impact of early diagnosis in increasing the chances of survival.

A worrying global context

Globally, the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer confirm that the burden of the disease is likely to increase significantly.

The latest estimates from Freddie Perry, head of the surveillance branch of the American Cancer Society, and Cary Adams of the Union for International Cancer Control, indicate that the number of new cases could reach 35 million annually by 2050 if prevention and treatment efforts are not accelerated.

Globally, cancer-related deaths are estimated at around 10 million cases annually, while more than 53 million people live for five years or more after diagnosis, reflecting improved survival rates in some countries versus continued health disparities in others.

Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases at the World Health Organization, points out that about 30% to 50% of cancer cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes, such as reducing obesity, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, in addition to early screening programs.

While high survival rates represent a significant achievement in the fight against cancer in the United States, the disease remains a major global health threat, especially since its most lethal forms continue to cause significant deaths.

The disparities between countries and social groups reveal that medical progress alone is not enough, and that achieving better outcomes requires comprehensive health policies, equal access to diagnosis and treatment, and the expansion of prevention programs globally.