Cancer Statistics, 2007

Every year, the American Cancer Society publishes a paper reviewing updates to US cancer incidence and mortality rates, as well as estimated projections, using data obtained from cancer registries and SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results... a program of the NCI).

The link to the free open access paper is a click away:
Jemal et al. Cancer Statistics, 2007. CA Cancer J Clin. 2007; 57: 43-66.

What cases do the cancer estimates not include?

Carcinoma in situ, except urinary bladder
Basal cell carcinomas
Squamous cell carcinomas of the skin

What are the top three leading sites of new cancer in males?

1. Prostate, 29%
2. Lung and Bronchus, 15%
3. Colorectal, 10%

What are the top three causes of cancer death in males?

1. Lung and Bronchus, 31%
2. Prostate, 9%
3. Colorectal, 9%

What are the top three leading sites for new cancers in females?

1. Breast, 26%
2. Lung and Bronchus, 15%
3. Colorectal, 11%

What are the top three causes of cancer death in females?

1. Lung and Bronchus, 26%
2. Breast, 15%
3. Colorectal, 10%

What US states have the lowest and highest incidence of lung cancer?

Utah has the lowest (also ranks lowest in adult smoking prevalence)
Kentucky has the highest (also ranks highest in adult smoking prevalence)

What are the trends in lung cancer incidence rates?

After steadily increasing for decades, lung cancer incidence rates are declining in men and plateauing in women.

What has happened to the total number of cancer deaths?

For the second consecutive year, the total number has decreased.

What are the top ten leading causes of death in the US?

1. Heart disease, 27%
2. Cancer, 23%
3. Cerebrovascular disease, 6%
4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases, 5%
5. Accidents, 5%
6. Diabetes mellitus, 3%
7. Alzheimer disease, 3%
8. Influenza and pneumonia, 3%
9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis, 2%
10. Septicemia, 1%

What is the leading cause of death among women between 40-79y and men between 60-79y?

Cancer

Among males less than 40y, what is the most common fatal cancer?

Leukemia

What about males greater than 40y?

1. Lung Cancer
2. Colorectal if 40-79y, Prostate if older than 80y

What is the leading cause of cancer death in females less than 20y?

Leukemia

What is the leading cause of cancer death in females between 20-59y?

Breast cancer

What is the leading cause of cancer death in females older than 60y?

Lung cancer

In the US, what are the three most common causes of death in children (1-14y)?

1. Accidents, 37%
2. Cancer, 12%
3. Congenital Anomalies, 8%

What are the most common childhood (1-14y) cancers?

1. Leukemia (especially ALL)
2. Brain and Nervous System
3. Soft Tissue Sarcomas
4. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
5. Wilms Tumors

What has happened to 5-year cancer survival rates among children?

They have improved from 58% (1975-77) to 79% (1996-2002).

Are there racial/ethnic differences in cancer incidence and mortality?

Yes.
African American men have a 15% higher incidence and 38% higher death rate than Caucasian men.
African American women have a 9% lower incidence but 18% higher death rate than Caucasian women.
Stomach and liver cancer incidence and death rates in Asians are twice that of Caucasians (think H. pylori and Hepatitis B)...

What is the estimated lifetime probablity of developing cancer?

45% for men
38% for women (who are more likely to develop cancer before 60y)

Late... SG

Source:
Jemal A, Siegel R, Ward E, Murray T, Xu J, Thun MJ. Cancer Statistics, 2007. CA Cancer J Clin 2007; 57: 43-66.