More people are getting cancer but fewer are dying from it, annual report says

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — About 2 million people developed cancer in 2023, the highest number to date, according to the American Cancer Society.

And projections are even higher for 2024.

But while the American Cancer Society’s annual Cancer Facts and Figures Report shows more people are developing cancer, the cancer mortality rate is on the decline.

The organization also found that people are developing certain cancers at a younger age.

"Over the last 30 years, we've had over a 30% improvement in survival from cancer," said Dr. Arnold Baskies, a former chairman of the National Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society.

"So although the numbers are [that] the incidence for cancer is going up, the survival rates are also going up. So we're doing a pretty good job. Not good enough, but as a country we're doing a very good job at trying to deal with the disease itself."

The report shows that six out of 10 cancers showed an increase in incidences.

Baskies said researchers don't know exactly why the trends are changing, but there are two factors that could be the main contributors.

"We know that there's a direct link between weight gain and the development of multiple different cancers, so that's one thing and one of the drivers," he said. But "the biggest driver of cancer in terms of numbers is smoking."

Vaccines, screenings encouraged

Baskies said vaccinations, such as the HPV vaccine, can prevent cancer and routine screenings can detect it before it’s too late.

"What if I told you that there's a way to prevent cervix cancer for our female population?" Baskies said. "We can actually prevent it from ever happening. And that's easily done with HPV vaccination."

The HPA vaccine is recommended for girls ages 9 through 26 years old.

He said prevention is first and foremost, but screenings are just as important.

Over the past decade, the age for colon cancer screenings has been lowered from 50 years old to 45 as people develop the disease younger and younger.

Baskies said people don’t always welcome those changes with open arms.

"Science changes," he said. "I mean, we have to realize that with more data and with things that affect the incidence for a lot of diseases, guidelines have to change with them."

Lifestyle changes suspected

The American Cancer Society recommends that women begin discussing mammogram screening with their physician around age 40 and begin screening by age 45.

For men, colorectal cancer screening should begin by age 45.

The organization also recommends prostate cancer screenings begin at age 50, with men at higher risk getting screened at 45.

The report showed an increase in cervical and colorectal cancers in young adults.

Baskies said researchers don't know the reason why certain cancers are happening more frequently in younger people, but they suspect it could be because of lifestyle changes.

He recommended people take precautions now to work toward a healthier future.

"Stay away from all forms of tobacco," he said. "Get to and stay at a healthy weight. Get moving with regular physical activity. Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

"Try to avoid alcohol. If you do drink, have no more than one drink per day for women, or two per day for men.”

Check out the American Cancer Society's facts and figures here: https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/2023-cancer-facts-figures.html