ATLANTA — Cancer death rates continue to decline in the United States, reflecting advances in prevention, early detection and treatment, but health experts report that incidence rates are increasing for several common cancers and that some regions continue to experience a disproportionate burden of disease.
The findings were highlighted in the American Cancer Society’s annual Cancer Statistics 2026 report, released earlier this year. Researchers estimated that more than 2.1 million new cancer cases and about 626,000 cancer deaths would occur in the United States in 2026. The report found that the national cancer mortality rate continued its long-term decline through 2023, extending a trend that has been underway for decades.
According to the American Cancer Society, the cancer death rate has fallen by about 34% since its peak in 1991, a decline attributed largely to reductions in smoking, earlier diagnosis and improvements in treatment. Researchers said those gains have contributed to rising survival rates, with the five-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined reaching 70% for patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2021.
“The cancer mortality rate continued to decline through 2023,” the report said, while noting that progress has translated into millions of avoided deaths over the past three decades.
At the same time, researchers reported that incidence rates are increasing for several major cancers. The American Cancer Society said new diagnoses continue to rise for cancers including breast, prostate, pancreatic, oral cavity and uterine cancers, among others. The organization noted that trends vary considerably by cancer type, age group and geographic location.
Regional disparities remain a concern for public health officials. State-level data included in the report show differences in cancer incidence and mortality across the country, reflecting variations in risk factors, screening access and healthcare resources. Researchers said lung cancer, despite long-term declines in mortality, remains the leading cause of cancer death nationwide.
Similar concerns have been reported internationally. In Brazil, the National Cancer Institute estimated that the country could record about 781,000 new cancer cases annually between 2026 and 2028, underscoring the continuing burden of the disease despite advances in treatment and prevention efforts.
Health organizations said the latest figures demonstrate both progress and ongoing challenges. Researchers emphasized that improvements in survival have been accompanied by rising incidence rates for several cancers, requiring continued investment in prevention, screening and treatment programs.
As of June 2026, cancer surveillance agencies and public health authorities continued monitoring trends across regions and demographic groups. Updated incidence and mortality data are expected to inform future screening recommendations, research priorities and healthcare planning efforts.
