Cancer statistics, 2026
- Study type
- Other
- Study name
- Cancer Statistics 2026
- Design
- Annual statistical report based on population data (central cancer registries for incidence up to 2022 and the National Center for Health Statistics for mortality up to 2023)
- Sample size
- US population data; no specific sample size stated in the abstract
- Source
- CA A Cancer J Clinicians · 2026
In plain words
This report shows that in the United States deaths from cancer have been falling for many years and more patients are surviving. Today 70% of people are alive 5 years after a cancer diagnosis, and even in advanced cancers, such as myeloma and melanoma, survival has improved markedly. This improvement comes from less smoking, earlier diagnosis and better treatments. Even so, lung cancer is still the deadliest cancer, and access to health insurance and support for research matter for this progress to continue.
Key results
Study population
The US population; incidence data were collected from central cancer registries (up to 2022) and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics (up to 2023).
Endpoints
Projected numbers of new cancer cases and cancer deaths in the United States for 2026, trends in cancer mortality rates, and 5-year relative survival by stage.
Safety and side effects
This is a statistical report and does not examine treatment adverse events.
Clinical significance and place in guidelines
This is a statistical report and makes no new treatment recommendations. According to the abstract, progress from reduced smoking, screening and early detection, and better treatments has led to lower mortality and higher survival; this finding highlights the importance of continued tobacco control policies, early detection and access to treatment. The data relate to the US population, and direct generalisation to other populations should be made with caution.
Limitations
The abstract does not mention methodological limitations. The data relate to the United States and cover incidence up to 2022 and mortality up to 2023; the 2026 figures are projections (estimates), not actual counts. Further details are available in the full text of the paper.
This summary was prepared by the editorial team from the published paper; the original paper is the final reference. Read the original abstract on PubMed.