The latest report from the American Cancer Society reveals a significant milestone in cancer care: the five-year survival rate for all cancers has reached an unprecedented 70%. This remarkable achievement reflects improvements in early detection, treatment options, and ongoing cancer research. The report was released on March 15, 2023, and underscores a positive trend in the fight against some of the most lethal forms of cancer.
According to Rebecca Siegel, the senior scientific director of surveillance research at ACS and lead author of the report, the advancements in cancer survival rates are noteworthy. “Seven in ten people now survive their cancer five years or more, up from only half in the mid-1970s,” Siegel stated. This progress is largely attributed to decades of dedicated research, which has transformed many cancers from a death sentence into manageable chronic diseases.
The report highlights that since 1991, the cancer mortality rate has consistently declined, leading to the avoidance of approximately 4.8 million deaths. Looking ahead, projections indicate that the United States will see over 2 million new cancer cases and more than 626,000 deaths related to the disease in 2026. The findings also reveal that incidence and mortality rates are generally higher among men compared to women.
Improved survival rates can be linked to several factors, including a decrease in tobacco use, enhanced early detection methods, and the development of innovative treatments. William Dahut, chief scientific officer for ACS, emphasized the critical role of research funding in these advancements. He pointed out that cuts to health research grants, such as those made by the Trump administration in early 2025, jeopardize future progress in cancer treatment.
Dahut remarked, “The thing to focus on is really the importance of scientific funding and scientific discovery to drive improvements in five-year survival.” He highlighted encouraging trends in patients with metastatic cancer, which is cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. For example, the survival rate for individuals with metastatic rectal cancer rose from 8% in the mid-1990s to 18% today, while survival for metastatic lung cancer increased from 2% to 10%.
Experts in the field, including Sharon Giordano, chair of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, noted that these findings are highly promising. “Overall, the findings in this report are highly encouraging and demonstrate that meaningful progress has been made in the fight against cancer,” she stated, despite not being directly involved in the research.
While the improvements in survival rates offer hope, experts recognize that further work is necessary to enhance treatment for diverse cancer types. Cardinale Smith, chief medical officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, emphasized the importance of ongoing research investment, stating, “Decades of research and work in this area have led to longer, better lives for millions of Americans with cancer.”
The report also highlights concerning trends, particularly in lung cancer, which is expected to remain the leading cause of cancer deaths in 2026. Despite a decrease in smoking rates, a troubling number of non-smokers are being diagnosed with this disease. Experts are exploring reasons behind this rise and have called for updates to screening guidelines to increase accessibility.
Disparities in cancer mortality rates are alarming, with Native American populations facing the highest cancer mortality rates. They are twice as likely as white individuals to die from kidney, liver, stomach, and uterine cervix cancers. Among young people, Alaskan Natives have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer, with rates described as the “highest in the world.”
The report indicates that cancer survival rates are lower for Black individuals compared to white individuals for nearly every cancer type. Researchers attribute this disparity to unequal access to high-quality care at all stages, from prevention to treatment.
As of January 2023, more than 18.6 million cancer survivors were living in the United States, a number expected to exceed 22 million by 2035. Despite the increase in survivors, Dahut noted the challenges in providing proper care for this growing population. “In our current medical system, we don’t really have a great model for who’s best to follow cancer survivors,” he said, emphasizing the need for improved strategies to ensure consistent care across the country.
The findings from the American Cancer Society report highlight both the achievements made in cancer research and treatment and the ongoing challenges faced by patients and healthcare systems. Continued investment in research and equitable access to care will be key to sustaining and furthering the progress made in cancer survival rates.
