From the Guidelines
The top 4 cancer types globally are lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, primarily linked to tobacco smoking but also affecting non-smokers through environmental exposures 1. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with risk factors including genetic predisposition, hormonal influences, and lifestyle factors. Colorectal cancer affects the colon or rectum and is strongly associated with age, family history, inflammatory bowel disease, and lifestyle factors such as diet and physical inactivity. Prostate cancer predominantly affects older men and has varying levels of aggressiveness, with age, family history, and ethnicity being significant risk factors.
Key Points
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with the highest annual incidence rates in central and eastern Europe and North America 1
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with a high 5-year survival rate if detected early 1
- Colorectal cancer is strongly associated with age, family history, and lifestyle factors, with a significant decline in mortality rates due to early detection and screening 1
- Prostate cancer affects older men, with age, family history, and ethnicity being significant risk factors, and varying levels of aggressiveness 1 Regular screening is crucial for early detection of these cancers, including mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies for colorectal cancer, PSA testing for prostate cancer, and low-dose CT scans for high-risk individuals for lung cancer. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates across all these cancer types.
Screening Recommendations
- Mammograms for breast cancer: annual screening for women aged 40-74 years
- Colonoscopies for colorectal cancer: screening every 10 years for adults aged 50-75 years
- PSA testing for prostate cancer: screening for men aged 55-69 years
- Low-dose CT scans for lung cancer: screening for high-risk individuals, such as those with a history of smoking.
From the Research
Top 4 Cancer Types
The top 4 cancer types can be identified based on various studies, including:
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Female breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
Evidence from Studies
These cancer types are consistently reported across different studies, including 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Cancer Incidence and Mortality
According to 2, the cancer types most frequently diagnosed among adults in most high-income countries are lung, colorectal, female breast, cutaneous melanoma, and prostate. Similarly, 5 reports that in 2024, the top 4 cancer types in terms of incidence and mortality in the United States are expected to be breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer. 6 also identifies prostate, female breast, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum as the top four major sites of cancer in Oklahoma and the United States from 1999 to 2012.
Risk Factors and Prevention
The most important causes of cancer are tobacco use, excess alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of physical activity, diets low in fruits and vegetables, infectious agents, and sun exposure, as reported in 2. Early detection can reduce the chances that a person will die of cancers of the female breast, uterine cervix, colon and rectum, lung, and prostate, according to 2. 3 provides an overview of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers, including incidence and prevalence, risk factors, detection, and treatment modalities. 4 discusses the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of various cancers, including colorectal, prostate, breast, lung, liver, kidney, stomach, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
International Variation and Disparities
There is marked international variation in the incidence of most cancers, as reported in 2. 5 notes that progress in reducing cancer incidence and mortality is hampered by wide persistent cancer disparities, with higher mortality rates for certain cancers among Black and Native American people compared to White people.