US Mortality, 2006 *Includes nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis.
Source: US Mortality Data 2006, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009.
1. Heart Diseases 631,636 26.0
2. Cancer 559,888 23.1
3. Cerebrovascular diseases 137,119 5.7
4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases 124,583 5.1
5. Accidents (unintentional injuries) 121,599 5.0
6. Diabetes mellitus 72,449 3.0
7. Alzheimer disease 72,432 3.0
8. Influenza & pneumonia 56,326 2.3
Nephritis* 45,344 1.9
10. Septicemia 34,234 1.4 Rank Cause of Death No. of deaths % of all deaths
Cancer accounts for nearly one-quarter of deaths in the United States, exceeded only by heart diseases. In 2006, there were 559,888 cancer deaths in the US.
Change in the US Death Rates* by Cause, 1950 & 2002 * Age-adjusted to 2000 US standard population.
Sources: 1950 Mortality Data - CDC/NCHS, NVSS, Mortality Revised.
2002 Mortality Data: US Mortality Public Use Data Tape, 2002, NCHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004 Heart Diseases Cerebrovascular Diseases Pneumonia/ Influenza Cancer 1950
2002 Rate Per 100,000
Compared to the rate in 1950, the cancer death rate was about the same in 2002, while rates for other major chronic diseases decreased during this period.
Change in US Death Rates* from 1991 to 2006 * Age-adjusted to 2000 US standard population.
Sources: US Mortality Data, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009. 1991
2006 Rate Per 100,000 calo 16%
Compared to the peak rate of 215.1 per 100,000 in 1991, the cancer death rate decreased 16% to 180.7 in 2006. Rates for other major chronic diseases decreased substantially during this period.
Cancer Death Rates* by Sex, US, 1975-2005 *Age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
Source: US Mortality Data 1960-2005, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008. Men Both Sexes Rate Per 100,000 Women 2.0 1.6 11.4 19.2
The death rate from all cancers combined decreased by 2.0% per year from 2001 to 2005 in men and 1.6% per year from 2002 to 2005 in women. Cancer death rates have been decreasing since 1990 in men and since 1991 in women. Compared to the peak rates in 1990 for men and 1991 for women, the cancer death rate for all sites combined in 2005 was 19.2% lower in men and11.4% lower in women.
Cancer Death Rates* Among Men, US,1930-2005 *Age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
Source: US Mortality Data 1960-2005, US Mortality Volumes 1930-1959,
National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008. Lung & bronchus Colon & rectum Stomach Rate Per 100,000 Prostate Pancreas Liver Leukemia decrese accounts for 40%
overall decrease
Most of the increase in cancer death rates for men prior to 1990 was attributable to lung cancer. However, since 1990, the age-adjusted lung cancer death rate in men has been decreasing; this decrease has been estimated to account for about 40% of the overall decrease in cancer death rates in men. Stomach cancer mortality has decreased considerably since 1930. Death rates for prostate and colorectal cancers have also been declining.
Cancer Death Rates* Among Women, US,1930-2005 *Age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
Source: US Mortality Data 1960-2005, US Mortality Volumes 1930-1959,
National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008. Lung & bronchus Colon & rectum Uterus Stomach Breast Ovary Pancreas Rate Per 100,000 27% >100%
Lung cancer is currently the most common cause of cancer death in women, with the death rate more than twice what it was 30 years ago. In comparison, breast cancer death rates changed little between 1930 and 1990, but decreased 27% between 1990 to 2005. The death rates for stomach and uterine cancers have decreased steadily since 1930; colorectal cancer death rates have been decreasing for more than 50 years.
2009 Estimated US Cancer Deaths* ONS=Other nervous system.
Source: American Cancer Society, 2009. Men 292,540 Women 269,800 26% Lung & bronchus
15% Breast
9% Colon & rectum
6% Pancreas
5% Ovary
4% Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
3% Leukemia
3% Uterine corpus
2% Liver & intrahepatic bile duct
2% Brain/ONS
25% All other sites Lung & bronchus 30%
Prostate 9%
Colon & rectum 9%
Pancreas 6%
Leukemia 4%
Liver & intrahepatic 4% bile duct
Esophagus 4%
Urinary bladder 3%
Non-Hodgkin 3% lymphoma
Kidney & renal pelvis 3%
All other sites 25%
Lung cancer is, by far, the most common fatal cancer in men (30%), followed by prostate (9%), and colon & rectum (9%). In women, lung (26%), breast (15%), and colon & rectum (9%) are the leading sites of cancer death.
*Per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
† Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and
Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008. Cancer Death Rates* by Race and Ethnicity, US, 2001-2005 tasso + alto tasso + basso
Overall, cancer death rates are higher in men than women in every racial and ethnic group. African American men and women have higher rates of cancer mortality than their counterparts in every other racial and ethnic group. Asian American and Pacific Islander men and women have the lowest cancer death rates, about half the rate of African American men and women, respectively.
Note: Rates for populations other than white and African American may be affected by problems in ascertaining race/ethnicity information from medical records. This is likely to result in reported death rates that are lower than true death rates.
All sites 313.0 230.7 1.4
Prostate 59.4 24.6 2.4
Larynx 4.8 2.1 2.3
Stomach 11.5 5.0 2.3
Myeloma 8.3 4.3 1.9
Oral cavity and pharynx 6.7 3.8 1.8
Small intestine 0.7 0.4 1.8
Liver and intrahepatic bile duct 10.3 6.7 1.5
Colon and rectum 31.8 22.1 1.4
Esophagus 9.8 7.8 1.3
Lung and bronchus 93.1 71.3 1.3
Pancreas 15.4 12.1 1.3
Cancer Sites in Men for Which African American Death Rates* Exceed White Death Rates*, US, 2001-2005 *Per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and
Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008.
Site African American White Ratio of African American/White
African Americans have higher cancer death rates than whites for numerous cancer sites. Death rates for myeloma and cancers of the prostate, larynx, stomach, oral cavity, esophagus, liver, small intestine, colon and rectum, lung and bronchus, and pancreas are all higher in African American men than in white men.
All sites 186.7 159.2 1.2
Stomach 5.5 2.5 2.2
Myeloma 6.0 2.8 2.1
Uterine cervix 4.7 2.3 2.0
Esophagus 2.8 1.6 1.8
Uterine corpus 7.1 3.9 1.8
Small intestine 0.5 0.3 1.7
Larynx 0.8 0.5 1.6
Colon and rectum 22.4 15.3 1.5
Pancreas 12.4 9.0 1.4
Breast 33.5 24.4 1.4
Gallbladder 1.0 0.8 1.3
Urinary bladder 2.8 2.2 1.3
Liver and intrahepatic bile duct 3.9 2.9 1.3 Cancer Sites in Women for Which African American Death Rates* Exceed White Death Rates*, US, 2001-2005 *Per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008.
Site African American White Ratio of African American/White
Death rates are higher in African American women than white women for many cancer sites, including myeloma and cancers of the stomach, cervix, esophagus, uterus, small intestine, larynx, colon & rectum, pancreas, breast, gallbladder, bladder, and liver.
2009 Estimated US Cancer Cases* *Excludes basal and squamous cell skin cancers and in situ carcinomas except urinary bladder.
Source: American Cancer Society, 2009. Men 766,130 Women 713,220 27% Breast
14% Lung & bronchus
10% Colon & rectum
6% Uterine corpus
4% Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
4% Melanoma of skin
4% Thyroid
3% Kidney & renal pelvis
3% Ovary
3% Pancreas
22% All Other Sites Prostate 25%
Lung & bronchus 15%
Colon & rectum 10%
Urinary bladder 7%
Melanoma of skin 5%
Non-Hodgkin 5% lymphoma
Kidney & renal pelvis 5%
Leukemia 3%
Oral cavity 3%
Pancreas 3%
All Other Sites 19%
Previsti 1.5 M nuovi casi nel 2009
Now we will turn our attention to the number of new cancers anticipated in the US this year. It is estimated that about 1.5 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2009. Cancers of the prostate and breast will be the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men and women, respectively, followed by lung and colorectal cancers in both men and in women.
Cancer Incidence Rates* by Sex, US, 1975-2005 *Age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population and adjusted for delays in reporting.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, Delay-adjusted Incidence database:
SEER Incidence Delay-adjusted Rates, 9 Registries, 1975-2005, National Cancer Institute, 2008. Both Sexes Men Women Rate Per 100,000 - 0.8%
This slide shows trends in cancer incidence for all sites combined, for the years 1975-2005. Overall incidence rates for all racial and ethnic populations combined decreased by 0.8% per year from 1999 through 2005 in both sexes combined, by 1.8% per year from 2001 through 2005 in men, and by 0.6% per year from 1998 through 2005 in women. (Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975-2005, Featuring Trends in Lung Cancer, Tobacco Use, and Tobacco Control. JNCI December 3, 2008)
Cancer Incidence Rates* by Race and Ethnicity, 2001-2005 *Age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
†Person of Hispanic origin may be of any race.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and
Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008. Rate Per 100,000
Overall, cancer incidence rates are higher in men than women. Among men, African Americans have the highest incidence followed by white, Hispanic, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaskan Natives. Racial differences in cancer incidence among women are less pronounced; white women have the highest incidence rates followed by African American, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Asian American/Pacific Islander women.
Note: Rates for populations other than white and African American may be affected by problems in ascertaining race/ethnicity information from medical records. This is likely to result in reported incidence rates that are lower than true incidence rates. Data for American Indians/Alaska Natives is based on Contract Health Service Delivery Areas, comprising 54% of the total US American Indian/Alaska Native population.
* For those free of cancer at beginning of age interval. Source: DevCan: Probability of Developing or Dying of Cancer Software, Version 6.3.0 Statistical Research and Applications Branch, NCI, 2008. http://srab.cancer.gov/devcan
Lifetime Probability of Developing Cancer, Men, 2003-2005* † All Sites exclude basal and squamous cell skin cancers and in situ cancers except urinary bladder. Site Risk All sites† 1 in 2
Prostate 1 in 6
Lung and bronchus 1 in 13
Colon and rectum 1 in 18
Urinary bladder‡ 1 in 27
Melanoma§ 1 in 39
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 1 in 45
Kidney 1 in 57
Leukemia 1 in 67
Oral Cavity 1 in 72
Stomach 1 in 90 ‡ Includes invasive and in situ cancer cases
§ Statistic for white men.
The next four slides look at the lifetime probability of developing cancer and relative survival rates of cancer.
Presently, the risk of an American man developing cancer over his lifetime is one in two. The leading cancer sites are prostate, lung, and colon and rectum.
Lifetime Probability of Developing Cancer, Women, US, 2003-2005* Site Risk All sites† 1 in 3
Breast 1 in 8
Lung & bronchus 1 in 16
Colon & rectum 1 in 20
Uterine corpus 1 in 40
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 1 in 53
Urinary bladder‡ 1 in 84
Melanoma§ 1 in 58
Ovary 1 in 72
Pancreas 1 in 75
Uterine cervix 1 in 145 Source: DevCan: Probability of Developing or Dying of Cancer Software, Version 6.3.0 Statistical Research and Applications Branch, NCI, 2008. http://srab.cancer.gov/devcan
* For those free of cancer at beginning of age interval. † All Sites exclude basal and squamous cell skin cancers and in situ cancers except urinary bladder. ‡ Includes invasive and in situ cancer cases
§ Statistic for white women.
Approximately one in three women in the United States will develop cancer over her lifetime. The leading sites are breast, lung, and colon and rectum.
All Sites 68 58 10
Breast (female) 91 78 13
Colon 66 55 11
Esophagus 18 11 7
Leukemia 52 42 10
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 66 58 8
Oral cavity 62 42 20
Prostate 99 96 3
Rectum 67 59 8
Urinary bladder 82 66 16
Uterine cervix 74 65 9
Uterine corpus 86 61 25 Cancer Survival*(%) by Race,1996-2004 *5-year relative survival rates based on cancer patients diagnosed from 1996 to 2004 and followed through 2005.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and
Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008.
Site White Absolute
Difference African American
The 5-year relative survival rate for cancer is 68% among whites and 58% among African Americans (taking normal life expectancy into consideration). For many sites, survival rates in African Americans are 10% to more than 20% lower than in whites. This is due, in part, to African Americans being less likely to receive a cancer diagnosis at an early, localized stage, when treatment can improve chances of survival. Additional factors that contribute to the survival differential include unequal access to medical care and tumor characteristics.
Trends in Five-year Relative Survival (%)* Rates, US, 1975-2004 *5-year relative survival rates based on follow up of patients through 2005.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and
Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008.
Site 1975-1977 1984-1986 1996-2004 All sites 50 54 66
Breast (female) 75 79 89
Colon 52 59 65
Leukemia 35 42 51
Lung and bronchus 13 13 16
Melanoma 82 87 92
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 48 53 65
Ovary 37 40 46
Pancreas 3 3 5
Prostate 69 76 99
Rectum 49 57 67
Urinary bladder 74 78 81
The survival rates for all cancers combined and for certain site-specific cancers have improved significantly since the 1970s, due, in part, to both earlier detection and advances in treatment. Survival rates markedly increased for cancers of the prostate, breast, colon, rectum, and for leukemia. With new treatment techniques and increased utilization of screening, there is hope for even greater improvements in the not-too-distant future.
Cancer Incidence & Death Rates* in Children 0-14 Years, 1975-2005 Incidence Mortality Rate Per 100,000 *Age-adjusted to the 2000 Standard population.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008. +0.6%/year stabile
The next series of slides look at the burden of cancer among our nation's children. Cancer incidence among children ages 0-14 years has been increasing slightly, by about 0.6% per year, since 1975. Cancer-related mortality in children ages 0-14 has been stable since 1998 after decreasing steadily from 1975 to 1998 by 2.9% per year.
Cancer Incidence Rates* in Children 0-14 Years by Sex, 2001-2005 *Per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
ONS = Other nervous system
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2005, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, 2008. Site Male Female Total
All sites 16.1 14.1 15.1
Leukemia 5.4 4.5 5.0
Acute Lymphocytic 4.3 3.6 3.9
Brain/ONS 3.4 3.1 3.2
Soft tissue 1.1 1.0 1.1
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 1.2 0.6 0.9
Kidney and renal pelvis 0.8 0.8 0.8
Bone and Joint 0.7 0.7 0.7
Hodgkin lymphoma 0.7 0.4 0.5
Leukemia is the most common cancer among children ages 0-14 years and comprises approximately 30% of all childhood cancers. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common form of leukemia in children. Cancer of the brain/other nervous system is the second most common incident cancer in both boys and girls.
Comments