From the Guidelines
The overall 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined is 68%.
Survival Rates
- The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that there are over 16.9 million survivors in the United States 1.
- According to the ACS, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined has been increasing, with a current rate of 68% 1.
- This increase in survival rate is attributed to various factors, including improvements in treatment protocols, advancements in treatment, and earlier cancer detection and treatment 1.
- The ACS also notes that changes in behavioral patterns, such as smoking and obesity, affect cancer incidence and mortality 1.
- Additionally, targeted therapies and immunotherapies have dramatically increased survival rates for some types of cancer 1.
From the Research
Survival Rates for Cancer
The American Cancer Society (ACS) provides estimates of cancer survival rates based on data from various sources. According to the studies, the 5-year survival rates for different types of cancer are:
- Female breast cancer: 100% (stage I) to 26.5% (stage IV) 2
- Colorectal cancer: 88.1% (stage I) to 12.6% (stage IV) 2
- Lung and bronchus cancer: 55.1% (stage I) to 4.2% (stage IV) 2
- Melanoma of the skin: 99.5% (stage I) to 16% (stage IV) 2
- Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC): 2-year relative survival increased from 34% to 42% from 2009-2010 to 2015-2016 3
Trends in Cancer Mortality
The studies also report on trends in cancer mortality rates:
- Overall cancer death rates decreased by 1.8% per year among men and 1.4% per year among women from 1999 to 2015 2
- Cancer death rates decreased by 26% from 1990 to 2015, with a 32% decrease among men and a 22% decrease among women 4
- The cancer death rate has fallen continuously from its peak in 1991 through 2018, for a total decline of 31% 3
- Cancer mortality continued to decline through 2021, averting over 4 million deaths since 1991 5
Factors Affecting Cancer Survival and Mortality
The studies identify several factors that affect cancer survival and mortality rates, including: