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ACS scientists presenting advancements at AACR Annual Meeting

​This year's theme? 'Inspiring Science, Fueling Progress, and Revolutionizing Care.'

American Cancer Society scientists are presenting research studies at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), April 5 - 10 in San Diego, CA. The meeting is the focal point of the cancer research community, where scientists, clinicians, other health care professionals, survivors, patients, and advocates gather to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine. This year’s conference theme is “Inspiring Science, Fueling Progress, and Revolutionizing Care.”

ACS members are attending lectures, symposiums, and educational sessions at the meeting. Check out some photos from the event below. 

And, follow the conversation on X with the ACS Research and ACS News accounts. 

ACS AACR members also are presenting important cancer research information and studies including these highlighted abstracts detailed below.

Area deprivation, rurality, healthcare utilization, quality of life, and health status among cancer patients
Presenter: Dr. Hyunjung Lee, April 7
In this study, cancer patients living in deprived or rural areas were less likely to have general doctor or mental health professional visits and more likely to have poor physical health. Community-level intervention to improve social mobility and access to care in deprived or rural areas are required to mitigate disparities in healthcare and health among cancer patients. 

Associations of radiotherapy with the risk of subtype-specific lung cancer among breast cancer survivors in the United States
Presenter: Chenxi Jiang, April 8
Abstract is embargoed until presentation time.   

Loneliness, quality of life, and physical and mental health among cancer patients
Presenter: Dr. Hyunjung Lee, April 8
In this study, lonely patients with cancer were more likely to have poor quality of life, poor mental and physical health, and severe pain and fatigue. These findings underscore the significance of policy and clinical interventions to alleviate negative effect of loneliness on health outcomes among cancer patients.

Developmental and prospective validation of an estrogen receptor positive breast cancer risk model to identify women who could benefit for risk-reducing therapies
Presenter: Dr. Parichoy Pal Choudhury, April 8
Findings suggest that ER-specific risk scores might not offer a substantial advantage compared to overall risk scores to identify women eligible for risk-reducing therapies. Further risk-benefit analyses are needed to quantify the potential gains of predicting ER+ vs overall breast cancer. 

Genetic predisposition to obesity and survival in women with breast cancer
Presenter:  Dr. Clara Bodelon, April 8
Women with breast cancer predisposed to a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) were at increased risk of all-cause mortality. ABMI-related PRS may be a useful tool to identify women with breast cancer in need of additional interventions and/or surveillance.

Factors modifying the association between hormonal contraception and risk of early-onset breast cancer
Presenter: Dr. Lauren Teras, April 8
These data suggest that risks may vary with progestin content and future studies are needed to define formulations that minimize breast cancer risk while still maximizing protection against other female cancers. 

Overview of medical financial hardship following cancer diagnosis
Chairperson/Presenter: Dr. Robin Yabroff, April 8
The Forum will provide information about the definition, types, and prevalence of medical financial hardship following a cancer diagnosis and evidence about its association with adverse patient outcomes, including worse health-related quality of life and symptom severity, disruptions to medical care, and higher mortality risk.

Incidence and trends in subsequent primary lung cancer by sex in the United States
Presenter: Dr. Hyuna Sung, April 9
Abstract is embargoed until presentation time.

Trends in hematological cancer subtype mortality by educational attainment and sex in the United States, 2000-2020
Presenter: Dr. Emily Marlow, April 9
Hematological cancer mortality rates were highest among males and those with least education. In general, mortality rates have declined in recent years for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia for males and females among all educational attainment groups, while Hodgkin’s lymphoma has shown a slight increasing trend among least educated males and females.

Awards:

Dr. Robin Yabroff, pictured at right, was presented with the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention (CEBP) Frederick P. Li Impact Award for her research paper entitled, “Medical Care Costs Associated with Cancer Survivorship in the United States.” The award was given during the Reception and Scientific Achievement Awards Recognition Dinner on Saturday, April 6.


  • ACS releases new Global Cancer Facts & Figures report

    ​Cancer cases expected to rise to 35 million worldwide by 2050.

    Close to 20 million cancer cases were newly diagnosed in 2022 around the world and 9.7 million people died from the disease, according to the newest edition of Global Cancer Statistics 2024, released April 4 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The report is authored by American Cancer Society researchers and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and accompanied by a consumer-friendly companion publication, Global Cancer Facts & Figures 5th Edition. 

    The global cancer burden 

    The report also showed other key trends on the global cancer burden, which is expected to reach 35 million cancer cases by 2050. 

    • Every day in 2022, approximately 1,800 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 1,000 women died from the disease worldwide. Cervical cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death in women in 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in Latin America. Incidence rates are highest in Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania (65 to 96 per 100,000), 10 to 16 times higher than in the United States (6 per 100,000).
    • Globally, only 15% of eligible girls have received the vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV), with coverage varying from 1% in Central and Southern Asia to 86% in Australia and New Zealand. Likewise, only 36% of women worldwide have undergone screening for cervical cancer with substantial disparities across countries. For example, only 4% of screening eligible women have been screened for cervical cancer in Ethiopia, compared with nearly 100% of women in Sweden and The Netherlands.
    • Many low-income countries have high cancer mortality rates despite low cancer incidence, largely due to lack of or inadequate early detection and treatment services. For example, breast cancer mortality rate is twice as high in Ethiopia than in the United States (24 versus 12 per 100,000), despite a 60% lower incidence rate in Ethiopia (40 versus 100 per 100,000). 
    • Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death overall and in men worldwide, with almost 2.5 million cases (1 in 8 cancers) and 1.8 million deaths (1 in 5 deaths). In males, it is followed by prostate and colorectal cancers for incidence and by liver and colorectal cancers for mortality. In females, however, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death, followed by lung, colorectal and cervical cancers.

    “This rise in projected cancer cases by 2050 is solely due to the aging and growth of the population, assuming current incidence rates remain unchanged,” said Dr. Hyuna Sung, ACS senior principal scientist, cancer surveillance and co-author of the report. “Notably, the prevalence of major risk factors such as consumption of unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, heavy alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking are increasing in many parts of the world and will likely exacerbate the future burden of cancer barring any large-scale interventions. 

    Prevention and tobacco control are two key strategies for addressing this growing global cancer burden, said Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, ACS senior vice president of surveillance and health equity science and senior author of the study.

    “With more than half of cancer deaths worldwide being potentially preventable, prevention offers the most cost-effective and sustainable strategy for cancer control,” he said. “Elimination of tobacco use alone could prevent 1 in 4 cancer deaths or approximately 2.6 million cancer deaths annually.”

    How ACS is working globally 

    ACS is working around the globe to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. The organization:

    • Is focused on global cancer prevention, treatment, and patient support.
    • Has a commitment to health equity at the core of our mission, and we collaborate with partners in low- and middle-income countries to reduce the stark disparities in cancer outcomes.
    • Engages global cancer organizations to advocate for cervical cancer elimination, such as through co-chairing Cervical Cancer Action for Elimination (CCAE) with Cancer Research UK to engage and activate civil society organizations to accelerate efforts to achieve the WHO's global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
    • Promotes the demand and uptake of HPV vaccination and screening to prevent cervical cancer with a focus on lower- and middle- income countries (LMICs) – from India, to Kenya, to Colombia.
    • Supports the African Cancer Coalition’s effort to develop and disseminate national policies and the NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa.
    • Helps improve access to essential cancer medicines.
    • Provides healthcare professionals in Africa with education on the safe use of pain medicines, resulting in significant improvements in average pain scores among patients through the Treat the Pain initiative.
    • Prepares and equips health professionals, hospitals, and cancer organizations to provide effective patient-centered cancer education, such as through the Enabling Quality Interactions between Providers and Patients through Education Delivery (EQUIPPED) Initiative.
    • Expands patient navigation implementation to LMICs, such as through the Building Expertise, Advocacy, and Capacity for Oncology Navigation (BEACON) Initiative.

    ACS researcher Rebecca Siegel was a co-author on Global Cancer Statistics 2024. Chenxi Jiang contributed to the study. 

    Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Bill Dahut spoke with CNN about the announcement. Like and share the news on X.


  • ACS Discovery in the news

    ​Studies look at the effects of health insurance coverage, medical debt, and incarceration on health outcomes.​​

    Since celebrating our Discovery accomplishments in 2023 and detailing the findings of the new ACS Cancer Facts & Figures report earlier this year, the ACS Discovery pillar has announced several new publications and news updates. 

    Medical debt associated with worse health status, in new ACS findings

    Researchers stress need for better access to affordable medical care to improve population health.

    New findings, announced March 4, led by ACS researchers shows medical debt was associated with more days of poor physical and mental health, more years of life lost, and higher mortality rates for all-cause and leading causes of death at the county level in the United States. The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.

    “Patients are increasingly burdened by high out-of-pocket costs for health care in the U.S. including problems paying medical bills and medical debt, but little was known about county-level associations of medical debt with population health,” said Dr. Xuesong Han, lead author of the study and scientific director of health services research at the American Cancer Society. “Our findings reinforce medical debt as an important social determinant of health, which, unfortunately, may threaten public health in the country.”

    “This study reiterates how the rising cost of health care in the U.S. continues to take a significant toll on patients and their families,” noted Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “With a system that continues to be unaffordable for too many touched by cancer, addressing medical debt is a growing public policy priority among cancer patients and survivors. We need lawmakers at all levels of government to take action to make health care more affordable and address medical debt now."

    Dr. Robin Yabroff is senior author of the study. Other ACS researchers involved in this report include Dr. Xin Hu, Dr. Zhiyuan Zheng and Kewei Sylvia Shi.

    Like and share the news on X (formerly Twitter.)

    People with incarceration history less likely to receive health care in the US

    Interventions needed to help increase access to important health care, including cancer screenings, researchers say.

    A new study, announced Feb. 23, led by ACS researchers shows people with an incarceration history had worse access to and receipt of healthcare, including physical exams, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol tests, as well as dental check-ups and breast and colorectal cancer screenings compared with people without incarceration history in the United States. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Health Forum.

    “Our study results were not surprising as people with a history of incarceration experience barriers in access to health care in the U.S.,” said Jingxuan Zhao, senior associate scientist, health services research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “However, the findings further highlight the need for efforts to identify interventions to help increase receipt of recommended preventive services for this vulnerable population.”

    "Affordable health insurance is critical for everyone. As this study demonstrates, health insurance is a critical factor to reduce disparities in cancer screening for people who have been incarcerated,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Medicaid is an important source of health insurance for thousands of people who would not otherwise have access to care, including those who have been released from incarceration and are transitioning back to their communities. We urge lawmakers in these 10 states have not expanded Medicaid to do so and help save more lives from cancer."

    Dr. Leticia Nogueira is senior author of the study. Other ACS authors include Jessica Star, Dr. Xuesong Han, Dr. Zhiyuan Zheng, Dr. Qinjin Fan, Sylvia Kewei Shi, and Dr. Robin Yabroff.

    Like and share the news on X (formerly Twitter.)

    ACS and St. Baldrick’s Foundation award $720K in grants

    Research focused on advancing childhood cancer treatments.

    ACS and St. Baldrick’s Foundation announced on Feb. 16 they have awarded $720,000 in Pilot Accelerator grants meant to fill the funding gap in clinical trials focused on childhood cancer patients. These grants require researchers use biospecimens and data collected in clinical trials to accelerate the progression of new treatment options. The following investigators and institutions were each awarded $240,000 grants for two-year projects:

    • Kathrin Bernt, MD, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Title: Venetoclax for infant ALL – COG AALL2321
    • Challice Bonifant, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Title: Donor NK cell therapy for pediatric myeloid malignancies
    • Linda Resar, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Title: Targeting the HMGA1 Epigenome and Downstream Networks in MLL-r Leukemia

    In the first round of Accelerator grants awarded in 2021, six grants totaling $3 million were awarded to fund research focused on neuroblastoma, pediatric ALL, and AML. In the second year, five grants totaling $1.2 million were awarded to focus on chemotherapy treatment outcomes in lymphoma patients, immunotherapy development to treat leukemia and lymphoma, and gliomas, a deadly and difficult to treat pediatric cancer. Projects in this third cohort of grantees will focus on testing the addition of the new drug venetoclax to the treatment of infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, improving the treatment and sustaining remission for pediatric high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and developing new therapies for mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)- rearranged leukemia.

    Patients with cancer who suffered a major adverse financial event more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease

    New research shows ‘understanding patients’ financial vulnerability within healthcare settings may inform efforts to improve equitable access to oncology care.’ 

    New findings, announced Feb. 6, led by researchers at ACS and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) show more than one-third of cancer patients had a major adverse financial event – bankruptcy, lien, or eviction – before their cancer diagnosis. These patients with adverse financial events (AFEs) had a later-stage diagnosis compared with patients with no events. The findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO).

    “Patients with a previous AFE not only face greater likelihood of more advanced cancer but also may encounter substantial barriers to receiving recommended care and experience worse health outcomes for their newly diagnosed cancer because of their pre-existing financial vulnerability,” said Dr. Robin Yabroff, scientific vice president, health services research at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study.

    Like and share the news on X (formerly Twitter.)

    Medicaid expansion improves post-surgery survival among adults with non-small cell lung cancer

    Researchers emphasize importance of healthcare coverage and timely access to care for vulnerable populations.

    In a new, national, hospital-based study, announced Jan. 12, researchers at ACS found that Medicaid expansion was associated with a statistically significant reduction in early mortality following surgical resection of stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study results indicate that access to health insurance coverage via Medicaid expansion in the United States during a crucial period – in this case, during recovery from major surgery – is associated with improved survival. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.

    “Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, but Medicaid expansion can help improve access to lifesaving care,” said Dr. Leticia Nogueira, scientific director, health services research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “This study quantifies the impact of Medicaid expansion on survival among vulnerable patient populations, demonstrating the importance of healthcare coverage and access to timely care.”

    “This study is further proof that expanding Medicaid saves lives,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “We know what we need to do to end cancer as we know it for everyone, most critically of which is that people with cancer have access to the care they need - including the crucial types of post-operative care this study analyzes. Medicaid expansion helps ensure more people have that access and a better chance of surviving cancer, which is why ACS CAN has long advocated for this evidence-based policy. ACS CAN continues to urge the 10 states who have yet to increase Medicaid eligibility to expand access quickly. Lives are at stake.”

    Dr. Robin Yabroff is senior author of the study. Other ACS authors include Dr. Ahmedin Jemal and Dr. Xuesong Han.

    Health Insurance coverage at cancer diagnosis varies substantially by state, new study shows

    ACS researchers highlight Medicaid expansion for the increase in insurance coverage.

    A new study, announced Jan. 11, led by ACS researchers shows substantial state variations in health insurance coverage, which is a strong determinant of cancer care access and survival, among newly diagnosed cancer patients in the United States. These findings come despite a significant increase over the past decade in insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, which increases coverage options for working-age adults. The research is published in the journal Health Affairs Scholar.

    “Having health insurance coverage is crucial to ensure timely access to quality cancer treatment and survivorship care,” said Dr. Xuesong Han, scientific director, health services research at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study. “The findings reinforce the importance of the expansion of Medicaid income eligibility under the Affordable Care Act, playing a big role in access to care and helping to save lives.”

    “This study is further proof that expanding Medicaid increases access to comprehensive health insurance and we know that alone can increase the chances that cancer is diagnosed early which in turn augments the likelihood that someone survives the disease. In short, expanding this health insurance program is saving lives,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “ACS CAN has been a long-time advocate for Medicaid expansion to reduce the cancer burden and continues to work tirelessly in the 10 states that have not yet increased their Medicaid program eligibility.”

    Other ACS authors include Nova Yang, Dr. Qinjin Fan and Dr. Robin Yabroff.

    Like and share the news on X (formerly Twitter.)

    Discovery news briefs

    ACS research work was noted in publications and received recognition.

    • ACS and Flatiron Health announced on March 6, the recipients of the Fourth Annual Real-World Data Impact Awards. Grantees will receive funding and data to research key questions for patients with advanced cancers and their related outcomes.

    The first Cancer Prevention Research Conference will be held this June in Boston, MA. Stay tuned to ACS2Go for more information on this event.

  • Yosemite and ACS launch $13.2M grant program

    ​Award will support innovative research to develop methodologies, establish feasibility, or pilot high risk/high reward projects.

    Yosemite, an oncology-focused venture capital firm based in San Francisco, CA, and ACS have announced the launch of the Yosemite-American Cancer Society Award (Yosemite-ACS Award) with an initial commitment of $13.2 million. The grant program will support innovative research to develop methodologies, establish feasibility, or pilot high risk/high reward projects to advance the prLogo graphic with the word Yosemiteevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer.

    Yosemite and ACS developed the highly competitive Yosemite-ACS Award to make an immediate impact in supporting innovative research taking place at prominent institutions across the country.

    “Funding innovative research is a critical tool in our efforts to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. In joining forces, ACS and Yosemite will work to advance the most promising research through the Yosemite-ACS Award,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO for the American Cancer Society. “The American Cancer Society is honored to partner with Yosemite and to provide this bold platform to advance cancer discoveries that will save lives.”

    The Yosemite-ACS Award aims to support a range of dedicated investigators from early career to nationally recognized scientists focused on the most promising science to advance key areas of cancer research. The two-year Yosemite-ACS Award offers up to $330,000 for one or two-year projects related to (1) the application of transformative AI models to make novel discoveries impacting cancer patients, and (2) research in immuno-oncology and cell therapy approaches.

    The Yosemite-ACS Award will include a rigorous peer review process evaluating approach, innovation, and impact. Selection of the grantees will be made jointly by Yosemite and ACS following recommendation and review with the Yosemite-ACS Award Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

    Like and share on X (formerly Twitter.)



  • ACS receives NBA Foundation grant in support of Center for Diversity in Cancer Research

    ​Students in 21 NBA markets will benefit from the investment in training and support.​

    The American Cancer Society Center for Diversity in Cancer Research Training received an NBA Foundation grant to support programming for 300 underrepresented high school, college, and post-Baccalaureate students interested in oncology and cancer research in 21 NBA markets. 

    The Center was created in 2023 to increase diversity and inclusion in the cancer workforce by providing training and support to students that are underrepresented in science and health professions. The collective percentage of Black, Hispanic, and American Indian and Alaska Native people in biomedical careers is the lowest among racial and ethnic groups, and less than 2% of National Institute of Health cancer research grants come from African American or Black researchers. An inclusive research community more effectively addresses cancer disparities, invigorates problem-solving, drives innovation, and accelerates our mission to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families. 

    The NBA Foundation’s mission is to drive economic opportunity in the Black community through employment and career development by funding programs that generate successful transitions from school to meaningful employment for Black youth. With a focus on 18 to 24 year old Black youth at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the Foundation’s funding will support building a pipeline of talented, diverse scientists through the Center's three key initiatives: the Summer Health Experience (SHE), the Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Internship Program and the Post-Baccalaureate (Post-Bac) Fellows Program, a two-year paid certificate program that provides mentored research projects, advanced science coursework, and comprehensive advisory services for Bachelor-level students aiming to pursue doctoral or medical degrees. 

    “The NBA Foundation’s support in our common goal of providing pathways to expand opportunities in historically excluded communities and ultimately, achieve more diversity in fields that need new voices is important in our work to end cancer as we know it for everyone,” said our Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Bill Dahut. “Our center is focused on empowering these young voices and equipping them with the support they need to significantly contribute to improving inequities in cancer prevention, treatment and care.”    

    NBA Cares, the league’s global social responsibility program, has also supported the center’s students in Atlanta, GA, and Los Angeles, CA. American fashion designer and founder of the lifestyle brand WARAIRE, Waraire Boswell worked with NBA Cares to donate limited-edition NBA jackets to DICR students at Morehouse School of Medicine (pictured at right), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (pictured above), and patients at our American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Jerome L. Greene Family Center in New York, NYNYC Hope Lodge. Boswell, as he’s affectionately known by his peers and clients around the NBA, has crafted a 20-year design career that boasts some of the world’s most recognizable athletes and entertainers as clientele. He is also a cancer survivor who donated the jackets as part of his journey toward amplifying the message of resilience for people who may be fighting the good fight against any form of cancer.  

    Visit the ACS News Room for the official press announcement and check out ACS social media channels for more on the Waraire Boswell donation.



  • Cancer Facts and Figures garners extensive media coverage

    ​

    The American Cancer Society released our highly anticipated 2024 Cancer Facts and Figures on Wednesday, January 17. Within minutes of its release, the report garnered news coverage from various media outlets, including USA Today, CNN, NBC News, New York Times, and CBS News.

    Dr. Bill Dahut, ACS chief scientific officer, also appeared on Good Morning America in an exclusive interview with GMA anchor Robin Roberts to discuss the report's findings. You can watch his segment on the ABC News website.

    Check out some of the other highlights of our Cancer Facts and Figures media coverage: 


  • BrightEdge introduces inaugural cohort of Entrepreneurs Program

    ​Comprehensive curriculum and mentorship model carefully designed for early-career researchers.​​​

    ACS is thrilled to introduce the inaugural cohort of the BrightEdge Entrepreneurs (BEE) Program for 2024. BrightEdge, ACS’ impact venture capital arm, posted on LinkedIn a heartfelt thank you to the WoodNext Foundation, a donor-advised fund sponsored by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, for its generous donation which made this program possible. 

    The BEE initiative boasts a comprehensive 10-month curriculum and mentorship model carefully designed for early-career researchers. This program empowers participants, referred to as "Entrepreneurs" within the framework, to simultaneously advance their technical expertise and propel their budding commercial ventures.

    Entrepreneur selection criteria are rooted in their alignment with the mission priorities of the ACS and BrightEdge's investment focus areas. These areas include the development of innovative biomedical products, advancements in patient response to therapy, strengthening infrastructure for research and development, addressing health disparities and patient burden, as well as championing prevention and screening efforts.

    All who are involved eagerly await what this year holds in store!



  • New ACS Cancer Facts & Figures report: Overall cancer mortality still declining

    Projected number of new cancer diagnoses in US will top 2 million in 2024 for first time ever.

    Overall cancer mortality has continued to decline, resulting in more than 4 million fewer deaths in the US since 1991. However, this progress is being jeopardized by increasing incidence for 6 of the top 10 cancers as the projected number of new diagnoses tops 2 million (2,001,140) for the first time. These are just some of the findings revealed in Cancer Statistics, 2024, the ACS’ annual report on cancer facts and trends. These findings are published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and its consumer-friendly companion, Cancer Facts & Figures 2024, on cancer.org. 

    “We’re encouraged by the steady drop in cancer mortality as a result of less smoking, earlier detection for some cancers, and improved treatment,” Rebecca Siegel, ACS senior scientific director, Surveillance Research and lead author of the report said in a media release Wednesday. “But as a nation, we’ve dropped the ball on cancer prevention as incidence continues to increase for many common cancers – like breast, prostate, and endometrial, as well as colorectal and cervical cancers in some young adults.”

    Learn more

    Team members can learn more about this year’s Cancer Facts & Figures report in many ways: 

    For the report, ACS researchers compiled the most recent data on population-based cancer occurrence and outcomes using incidence data collected by central cancer registries, through 2020, and mortality data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, through 2021. 

    “The 2024 ACS cancer report underscores the importance of cancer prevention and illuminates priority areas to address cancers whose incidence and/or mortality rates are inexplicably rising,” said Dr. Karen Knudsen, ACS chief executive officer. “These observations highlight the critical need to invest in equitable application of proven cancer control interventions, and in discovery for new therapies – especially for advanced-stage cancers. Both endeavors will be essential to accelerate progress against the 200 diseases we call cancer, and to save lives.”

    Rising colorectal cancer incidence has rapidly shifted mortality patterns in adults under 50 years of age; colorectal cancer has moved up from bring the fourth leading cause of cancer death in both younger men and women two decades ago to first in men and second in women. Breast cancer leads in women under 50 with 2,251 deaths in 2021.

    Other highlights from the report include: 

    • Cervical cancer incidence rates are decreasing steeply in women in their 20s, who were first to receive the HPV vaccine, but are increased in women 30-44 years old by 1.7% per year from 2012 through 2019, highlighting the need for more emphasis on screening in young women, as well as broader uptake of the vaccine. In 2021, HPV vaccination coverage in adolescents 13-17 years ranged from 33% in Mississippi to 79% in the District of Columbia. 
    • After decades of increase, cancer incidence in children has finally leveled off, although rates continue to increase among adolescents (ages 15-19 years), including a greater than 4% per year rise in thyroid cancer, much of which is likely overdiagnosis; the 15-year survival rate for thyroid cancer in adolescents is 99%. 
    • Mortality rates continue to increase by 2% per year for uterine corpus (endometrial) cancer, one of the few cancers with increasing mortality. Steeper increases in women of color are widening racial disparities, with the death rate now two times higher in Black women (9.1 per 100,000) than in White women (4.6 per 100,000). 
    • Cancer patients are getting younger: the proportion of diagnoses in people who are middle-aged (50-64 years) increased from 25% in 1995 to 30% in 2019-2020, whereas the proportion 65 years and older decreased from 61% to 58%, despite both age groups growing in the general population (from 13% to 19% for ages 50-64 years and from 13% to 17% for ages 65 and older). In addition to changes in the population age distribution, this shift reflects steep decreases in incidence of prostate cancer and smoking-related cancers in older adults, as well as increased cancer incidence in people born after the 1950s because of higher obesity and other yet unknown factors.

    ACS author Angela Giaquinto also participated in the study.

    Quick facts about ACS Cancer Facts & Figures 

    • Since 1951, Cancer Facts & Figures has been the public’s go-to resource for timely cancer information. This annual report provides the most current information about cancer.
    • The audience for the publication extends not just nationwide, but globally, and equips health professionals, educators, policymakers, patients, and others with crucial findings.
    • Once a stand-alone publication, Cancer Facts & Figures is now the flagship work in a highly regarded series of nine reports under the purview of the Surveillance and Health Equity Science team. Updating each report is about a 6-month collaboration between renowned cancer experts from ACS and other top research institutions across the country.
    • Each Cancer Facts & Figures report is published with a companion article in the ACS journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
    • A unique feature of Cancer Facts & Figures is their state-specific data: the publications break down projections by state and at the national level.
    • ACS Cancer Facts & Figures publications are downloaded on average about 9,000 per month or about 300 times every single day.


  • Incidence rates for most local and regional stage cancers declined during first year of COVID-19, new research shows

    ​Researchers also found declines highest in racial and ethnic populations.

    A new report led by researchers at ACS shows, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer incidence rates declined for almost all cancer types examined. The declines were largely driven by local and regional stage disease, however, cancer incidence rates for distant stage or the most advanced type of disease decreased for just six of the 22 cancer types examined. The study is published in the International Journal of Cancer.

    “Cancer incidence rates during 2020 deviated from pre-pandemic patterns, likely due to the suspension of health care for both cancer and non-cancer related medical care,” said Elizabeth Schafer, associate scientist, health equity science at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “These findings have given us more evidence of the impact of the pandemic on cancer incidence rates by stage at diagnosis and race and ethnicity.”

    “Whether these declines will lead to increases in advanced-stage disease and mortality rates remains to be investigated by studying the incidence and mortality trends with additional data years,” added Schafer. “Nevertheless, the findings reinforce the importance of strengthening the return to preventive care campaigns and outreach for detecting cancers at early and more treatable stages.”

    Dr. Ahmedin Jemal is senior author of the paper. Other ACS authors include Dr. Farhad Islami, Dr. Xuesong Han, Dr. Leticia Nogueira, Dr. Nikita Sandeep Wagle, Dr. Robin Yabroff, and Dr. Hyuna Sung.
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