Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, Part 1: National Cancer Statistics

Abstract

Background The American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries collaborate to provide annual updates on cancer incidence and mortality and trends by cancer type, sex, age group, and racial/ethnic group in the United States. In this report, we also examine trends in stage-specific survival for melanoma of the skin (melanoma). Methods Incidence data for all cancers from 2001 through 2017 and survival data for melanoma cases diagnosed during 2001–2014 and followed up through 2016 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- and National Cancer Institute-funded population-based cancer registry programs compiled by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. Data on cancer deaths from 2001 through 2018 were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics’ National Vital Statistics System. Trends in age-standardized incidence and death rates and 2-year relative survival were estimated by joinpoint analysis, and trends in incidence and mortality were expressed as average annual percent change (AAPC) during the most recent 5 years (2013–2017 for incidence and 2014–2018 for mortality). Results Overall cancer incidence rates (per 100,000 population) for all ages during 2013–2017 were 487.4 among males and 422.4 among females. During this period, incidence rates remained stable among males but slightly increased in females (AAPC = 0.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.1% to 0.2%). Overall cancer death rates (per 100,000 population) during 2014–2018 were 185.5 among males and 133.5 among females. During this period, overall death rates decreased in both males (AAPC = −2.2%; 95% CI = −2.5% to − 1.9%) and females (AAPC = −1.7%; 95% CI = −2.1% to − 1.4%); death rates decreased for 11 of the 19 most common cancers among males and for 14 of the 20 most common cancers among females, but increased for 5 cancers in each sex. During 2014–2018, the declines in death rates accelerated for lung cancer and melanoma, slowed down for colorectal and female breast cancers, and leveled off for prostate cancer. Among children younger than age 15 years and adolescents and young adults aged 15–39 years, cancer death rates continued to decrease in contrast to the increasing incidence rates. Two-year relative survival for distant-stage skin melanoma was stable for those diagnosed during 2001–2009 but increased by 3.1% (95% CI = 2.8% to 3.5%) per year for those diagnosed during 2009–2014, with comparable trends among males and females. Conclusions Cancer death rates in the United States continue to decline overall and for many cancer types, with the decline accelerated for lung cancer and melanoma. For several other major cancers, however, death rates continue to increase or previous declines in rates have slowed or ceased. Moreover, overall incidence rates continue to increase among females, children, and adolescents and young adults. These findings inform efforts related to prevention, early detection, and treatment and for broad and equitable implementation of effective interventions, especially among under-resourced populations.

Trends in Breast Cancer Incidence, by Race, Ethnicity, and Age Among Women Aged ≥20 Years — United States, 1999–2018

“…Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed among women, accounting for approximately 30% of all cancer cases reported among women. * A slight annual increase in breast cancer incidence occurred in the United States during 2013–2017 ( 1 ). To examine trends in breast cancer incidence among women aged ≥20 years by race/ethnicity and age, CDC analyzed data from U.S. Cancer Statistics (USCS) during 1999–2018.…”

Strategies to Mitigate Chemotherapy and Radiation Toxicities That Affect Eating

“…Cancer remains a major public health problem in North America [1][2][3] and world-wide with >10 million deaths/year attributable to cancer [4]. What is feared by both patients and their caregivers is toxic therapy that may or may not be effective and makes eating a difficult and unpleasant experience especially when it is needed most.…”

Modulation of the Gal-9/TIM-3 Immune Checkpoint with α-Lactose. Does Anomery of Lactose Matter?

“…Over the past ten years, the clinical approval of different immune checkpoint blockers has led to considerable improvement in the clinical outcome of cancer patients, notably those with solid tumors such as melanoma and lung cancer. However, for several other major cancers, death rates continue to increase, or the improvement progresses very slowly [ 1 ]. Research efforts must continue and novel approaches to improve prevention, early detection, and treatment are needed.…”