Cancer Death Rates Continue to Drop in the US: Latest National Report Shares Hopeful Trends

A recent nationwide report from the United States reveals encouraging news in the fight against cancer. According to the 2024 Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, the overall cancer death rates have continued to decline among both men and women between 2001 and 2022 – even throughout the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Cancer death rates fell steadily from 2001 to 2022.
Lung and other smoking-related cancers saw the sharpest drop in both cases and deaths.
Obesity-related cancers like breast, uterus, colon, and pancreas are increasing.
Breast cancer diagnoses rose gradually, but deaths declined.
Children and young adults saw a steady drop in cancer deaths.
Racial and ethnic disparities in cancer trends still remain.
COVID-19 disrupted diagnoses, but numbers recovered by 2021.

What the Report Found

The report – released on 21 April 2025 in the journal Cancer – showed that overall cancer mortality (death rates) has been steadily falling over the past two decades.

Among Men

Cancer death rates declined consistently.
New cancer diagnoses dropped from 2001 to 2013, then levelled out through 2021.

Among Women

Overall cancer death rates also fell.
However, the rate of new diagnoses slightly increased each year from 2003 to 2021, except in 2020.

Smoking-Related Cancers on the Decline

The biggest improvements have come from fewer cases and deaths linked to lung cancer and other smoking-related cancers, thanks to:

Better awareness and quitting efforts
Improved early detection
Advanced treatments

Obesity-Linked Cancers Still Rising

While smoking-related cancers are declining, cancers tied to obesity are becoming more common. These include:

Breast (in women)
Uterus
Colon and rectum
Pancreas
Kidney
Liver

These rising numbers highlight the growing impact of obesity on public health.

What About Breast Cancer?

New diagnoses of breast cancer increased slowly during the study period.
However, the death rate dropped, showing that early detection and better treatments are making a difference.

Children, Teens, and Young Adults

Cancer deaths in children consistently declined.
Among adolescents and young adults, death rates fell until recently, then levelled off.

How Different Groups Are Affected

Between 2018 and 2022, cancer death rates fell for all major racial and ethnic groups. But cancer diagnoses varied:

Among men: incidence stayed mostly stable.
Among women: incidence increased in all racial and ethnic groups.

Notably:

Non-Hispanic Black men had the highest cancer rates among men.
American Indian and Alaska Native women had the highest rates among women.

The COVID-19 Effect on Cancer Diagnoses

The report also explored how the COVID-19 pandemic affected cancer statistics:

In 2020, cancer diagnoses dropped sharply, likely due to delays in screening and treatment.
By 2021, these numbers returned to normal, showing recovery in healthcare access.
The 2020 drop was consistent across all US states, regardless of local pandemic policies.

Why This Matters

The findings serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of:

Ongoing cancer research
Regular screening
Equitable access to healthcare – even during global crises

Who Produced the Report?

The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer is a collaborative effort led by:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
American Cancer Society (ACS)
North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR)

It draws from:

Cancer incidence data (via NCI, CDC, and NAACCR)
Cancer death records (via the National Vital Statistics System)

Leading Experts Involved

Recinda L. Sherman, NAACCR
Ahmedin Jemal, American Cancer Society
Jane Henley and Lisa C. Richardson, CDC
Serban Negoita and Kathleen A. Cronin, NIH

More Information

For those wanting to learn more or access support, here are some helpful resources:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Website: www.cancer.gov
Contact: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

Conclusion

This year’s annual cancer report brings positive news. While challenges such as obesity-related cancers and health disparities remain, the overall downward trend in cancer deaths – even during the global pandemic – reflects real progress in prevention, early detection, and treatment.

By continuing to invest in public health, research, and equal access to care, we can push these numbers even lower and bring hope to millions.

Stay informed, stay healthy.
Source: Cancer Journal, April 21, 2025.