Recent national estimates reveal a remarkable decline in cancer mortality rates in the United States, with a 34% drop since 1991. The findings, published by the American Cancer Society (ACS) in the 2026 edition of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, highlight significant advancements in cancer treatment and early detection. However, the report also underscores persistent disparities in cancer outcomes among different populations, indicating that current policy choices may shape future progress.
Significant Progress Amid Ongoing Challenges
Cancer remains the leading cause of death for individuals under 85 years old and the second overall cause of mortality in the United States. The ACS estimates that approximately 2,114,850 new cancer cases and 626,140 deaths will occur in 2026, translating to around 5,800 cases and 1,720 deaths daily. Despite these staggering figures, the overall cancer mortality rate has decreased significantly, saving an estimated 4.8 million lives since 1991.
While advancements in treatments, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies, have contributed to improved survival rates, challenges persist. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in delays in cancer detection, potentially leading to increased cases diagnosed at advanced stages. Socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic inequalities continue to impact access to care, affecting survival outcomes across different demographics.
Improved Survival Rates Across Cancer Types
The study indicates that the five-year survival rate for all cancers has increased from 49% in the mid-1970s to 70% between 2015 and 2021. For regional-stage cancers, survival rates have improved from 54% to 69% in the same period, while distant-stage cancers have seen an increase from 17% to 35%. Notably, cancers such as thyroid, prostate, testis, and skin show the highest survival rates, whereas lung, liver, esophagus, and pancreatic cancers remain the most deadly.
The report highlights significant survival improvements for patients diagnosed with high-mortality cancers. For instance, the five-year survival rate for myeloma has increased from 32% to 62%, while liver cancer survival rates rose from 7% to 22% over the same timeframe. These advancements reflect ongoing progress in cancer treatment and care delivery.
The mortality rate from lung cancer, which is projected to remain the leading cause of cancer death in 2026, reinforces the need for continued attention to smoking cessation initiatives and early detection strategies. Despite the overall reduction in cancer mortality rates, lung cancer continues to dominate, with predictions indicating it will surpass deaths from colorectal and pancreatic cancers combined.
Inequities in Cancer Outcomes
The 2026 report highlights stark disparities in cancer incidence and mortality rates, particularly among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations and Black men. AIAN individuals experience the highest rates of cancer incidence and mortality, with kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers contributing significantly to this burden. In contrast, Black men face prostate cancer mortality rates that are two to four times higher than those of other men.
The report emphasizes that systemic factors, including socioeconomic barriers, lack of insurance, and medical mistrust, contribute to these inequities. Additionally, the authors note that misclassification of race and ethnicity in cancer data may lead to an underestimation of the cancer burden in specific populations.
Access to quality healthcare remains a critical issue, as lower survival rates are observed among Black individuals compared to White individuals for nearly every cancer type. The evidence points to a need for improved access to care and increased diversity in clinical trials to address these disparities effectively.
The findings from the 2026 cancer statistics provide valuable insights into the current landscape of cancer treatment and outcomes in the United States. While significant strides have been made in improving survival rates, the authors warn that proposed cuts to cancer research and healthcare funding could jeopardize ongoing progress and limit access to life-saving treatments, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.
