Cancer Facts and Statistics
Statistically, Cancer Will Likely Impact All of Us
It’s estimated that 42 out of 100 men and 40 out of 100 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. In fact, these same metrics project that over 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed, meaning cancer will likely impact all of us – through our friends, our families, or even ourselves.
But, while cancer continues to become more and more common, one thing remains the same – no one is prepared for cancer. People diagnosed with cancer and their families are filled with questions that few have immediate answers to. Whatever occupation someone had when diagnosed will not prepare them for the barrage of information, terminology they’re likely unaware of, questions they never considered, and logistical, financial, and emotional challenges.
A diagnosis of cancer for yourself or a loved one can be overwhelming and scary, and we recognize that. But cancer treatments and survivorship rates continue to improve because of game-changing research, including V Foundation funded research. Today, there are 18.1 million cancer survivors in the United States (5.4% of the population). This number of survivors is projected to continue to increase to 22.5 million by 2032.
2,001,140
The number of people in the U.S. who are projected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2024.
42% and 40%
In the U.S., an estimated 42 out of 100 men and 40 out of 100 women will develop cancer in their lifetime.
9,620 Children
In 2024, an estimated 9,620 children ages 0-14 in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer.
Types of Cancer
There are more than 100 types of cancer.
Common Cancers
The most common cancers (listed in descending order according to estimated new cases in 2024) are for men: prostate cancer, lung & bronchus cancer, colorectal cancers, urinary bladder cancer and melanoma of the skin; for women: breast cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer and melanoma of the skin.
Stages
Most cancers are categorized by stage. “Stage 0” cancer is called “in situ.” This means abnormal cells have stayed with the originating cell layer. “Stage I” is localized and easiest to treat. “Stage IV” means abnormal cells have spread the farthest. This is the most difficult stage to treat.
Survivors
There are an estimated 18.1 million cancer survivors in the United States. The number of survivors is expected to increase to 22.5 million by 2032.
611,720
In 2024, an estimated 611,720 will die of cancer, an average of almost 1,680 people per day.
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