Recent findings from a joint report issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveal a mixed picture regarding cancer trends in the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. While the overall mortality rates attributed to cancer continue to show a steady decline among both men and women, the incidence of new cancer cases is slightly rising among women, remaining stable for men.
The report, titled “2024 Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer,” summarizes significant trends in cancer diagnosis and mortality from 2017 to 2022 and was published in the journal Cancer on April 21.
Cancer Statistics Overview
- Incidence Rates:
- Men: 500 per 100,000 (stable)
- Women: 437 per 100,000 (+0.3%)
- Mortalities:
- Men: 173 per 100,000
- Women: 126 per 100,000
The report highlights a troubling increase in stomach cancer rates among women, which spiked to an average annual change of 3.2%. In contrast, for non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander women, the rates actually declined by 2.5%. This rise is reportedly linked to a recent reclassification by the World Health Organization (WHO) of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) as malignant unless otherwise indicated by a pathologist. Prior to this change, stomach cancer rates remained stable at about 4.7 per 100,000 women between 2017 and 2019, but surged to 5.4 in 2021 post-reclassification.
Dr. Recinda Sherman from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) indicates that this increase reflects an enhanced understanding of cancer burden rather than an elevated risk. “This is not a problem,” she stated in an email to AuntMinnie. “The higher rates show an improved assessment of the burden of cancer but not a higher risk of stomach cancer.”
Breast Cancer Trends
In terms of breast cancer, the rate has gradually escalated by 1.6% per year across all demographics, with non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander women facing the highest increase at 3.3%. Notably, breast cancer mortality has decreased by 42% since its peak in 1989, attributed to better treatment options facilitated by advancements in medicine, improved insurance coverage, and enhanced screening processes.
Male Cancer Trends
For men, overall cancer incidence rates have remained stable across different races and ethnicities. However, there has been a noticeable yearly increase of 2.9% in prostate cancer cases, with variations ranging from 1.3% among Hispanic males to 4% among non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander males. Meanwhile, lung and laryngeal cancers show significant decreasing trends, with declines of 3.4% and 2.6%, respectively.
Cancer Among Children
The report also indicates positive news on childhood cancer, with an overall decrease in incidence rates of 0.8% per year from 2017 to 2021.
Dr. Sherman emphasized the noteworthy progress in reducing cancer mortality rates, which have continued to decline even during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining a long-term trend observed in recent decades. “The good news is cancer mortality has continued to decline,” she noted.
While the overall progress in cancer mortality is encouraging, the report highlights that declines in mortality rates have slowed for specific types of cancer, such as colorectal and prostate cancers. This stagnation is partially linked to rising incidence rates in certain demographics or age groups.
Data Collection & Future Implications
The report purposefully excludes data from 2020 to provide a clearer depiction of cancer’s burden, independent of the pandemic’s impact and healthcare disruptions. It includes extensive historical data showcasing trends over the past two decades, as well as recent developments within a five-year frame.
As a collaborative effort by leading cancer surveillance organizations, this report aims to present definitive U.S. cancer statistics founded on standardized, population-based registry data. Dr. Sherman also expressed concern about potential future assessments, stating, “Depending upon [the] extent of federal defunding, the accurate assessment of the burden of cancer may no longer be possible.”
For complete insights, the full report can be accessed through the ACS.
