New Annual Report on Cancer Shows Rapid Decrease in Lung Cancer and Melanoma Deaths

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The new Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer (Part 1) finds that overall cancer death rates continue to decrease in men and women of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. During 2001 to 2018, lung cancer death rates rapidly decreased, and melanoma death rates decreased significantly in more recent years, reflecting an increase in survival for metastatic melanoma. Previous declining trends for colorectal and female breast cancer death rates slowed and those for prostate cancer leveled off. Cancer incidence rates remained stable among men from 2013 to 2017 and increased slightly for women from 2003 to 2017.

All trends in the report cover the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s report is available in JNCI: The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

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Explore the Latest Cancer Data

CDC is your source for cancer data. New U.S. Cancer Statistics data have been released in the Data Visualizations tool and public use database. Now, 18 years of data are available (2001 to 2018). U.S. Cancer Statistics are the official federal cancer statistics, providing cancer information on the U.S. population. This data resource combines cancer registry data from CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.

The Data Visualizations tool lets you do more than just read cancer data – you can see the data. Our updated layout makes it easier to find the statistics you need.
The public use databases include more than 31 million cases and gives researchers access to cancer incidence and population data for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Why use U.S. Cancer Statistics data? This video highlights how cancer data can help measure progress, target programs, plan for medical services, and more.

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Making it Easier to Get Screened Shows Progress

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Different communities can share a common goal. Clinics in New York and Guam are making it easier for patients to get screened through their local cancer screening programs supported by CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The NBCCEDP helps local programs reach underserved women and provide screening and diagnostic services. In New York, the whole clinic team helped to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates. Clinic staff improved the process for reminding doctors which patients need to be screened for cancer. Staff members talked with patients about cancer screenings. Doctors made the final recommendations and ordered the tests.

In Guam, the ability to enroll at a clinic was a game-changer for women to get screened for cancer during the pandemic. Improving the enrollment process resulted in more women joining the program and getting screened the same day. Find more success stories from screening programs.

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Colorectal Cancer Screening Starts Earlier

The word is out. The new recommended age to start colorectal cancer screening is age 45—lowered from age 50. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended this change after a review of new data showed the benefit of colorectal cancer screening for adults age 45-49 years. Screening is the best chance to prevent colorectal cancer or find it early. While it’s common to feel awkward about colorectal cancer screening, it may reassure you to know that there are different types of screening tests. If you are nervous about colorectal cancer screening, our recent blog may help you find a positive viewpoint and learn more about your options.

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New Data on Health Coverage in U.S. Counties

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The 2019 Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE) are now available from the Census Bureau. SAHIE is the only source of single-year health insurance coverage estimates for all counties in the U.S. The estimates are provided by demographics (age, race, sex) and income levels that reflect thresholds for federal and state assistance programs. This release includes the 2019 SAHIE Report that describes differences in health insurance coverage across counties and states, as well as changes over time. The latest data show uninsured rates dropped in 2,909 U.S. counties and rose in just four counties after the Affordable Care Act was implemented.

The SAHIE data are the result of a long-term collaboration between the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control and the Census Bureau’s Small Area Estimates Branch.

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Research Spotlight

The number of adults entering the age groups at greatest risk for being diagnosed with cancer is increasing. Cancer Incidence Projections in the United States Between 2015 and 2050 estimates that the total number of cancer cases are expected to increase by almost 50% because of the growth and aging of the U.S. population. An increase in incidence could also be an increase in the number of cancer survivors, which could impact health care and cancer surveillance resource needs. More focus on cancer risk reduction could help counter increases in new cases.

A Case Study of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Using Electronic Health Records to Support Public Health Surveillance on an Emerging Cancer Control Topic evaluates the feasibility of a public health organization partnering with a health system to examine risk factors for early-onset colorectal cancer in a community cancer setting. The study looks at challenges with using EHRs to address emerging topics in cancer control.

The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) has revised the Cancer Registry Management Principles and Practices for Hospitals and Central Registries. A volunteer team of cancer registry professionals who represent various organizations and entities contributed their expertise for this premier textbook and desk reference for cancer registries.

Did You Know?

In 2018, men had higher rates of getting and dying from from colorectal cancer than women.
The most common cancers diagnosed in 2018 were breast, lung, and colorectal cancers among women and prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers among men.