Cancer affects millions of people all over the world, regardless of socio-economic standing, gender, or race. The following cancer statistics will show you how terrifying and fatal this disease can be.
In the following article, we will look at general facts and stats on cancer. Then we will go through its most common forms and give you statistics on these types to help put them into perspective on a global and local scale. We will also provide information on supplements believed to help with cancer.
We hope these eye-opening statistics give you a deeper insight into cancer and its devastating effects on people.
The Top 10 Statistics and Facts on Cancer Types
- There were 9.6 million deaths caused by cancer worldwide in 2018.
- Cancer is mainly a disease of the middle age and above but can develop at any age.
- Rectal and colon cancer are among the 10 deadliest types.
- Smoking accounts for 80%–90% of lung cancer deaths.
- About 7%–15% of nipple discharges are associated with breast cancer.
- The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you get older.
- Endometrial carcinoma is the most common cancer in women in the developed world.
- It is estimated that every 16 minutes, a man dies from prostate cancer in the United States.
- Around one in every nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during the course of his life.
- Eight supplements are believed to help with cancer, including ground flax seed and ginger.
General Cancer Facts and Statistics
Cancer is one of the many chronic diseases that’s recently been on the rise. Genetics, age, microorganisms, and exposure to carcinogenic substances keep increasing the number of oncological patients every year.
Let’s get more familiar with this widespread invasive illness.
1. Not all tumors are malignant.
(Medical News Today)
Tumors can be benign, premalignant, or malignant. Unlike malignant tumors, benign tumors don’t spread to other parts of the body, and they generally aren’t life-threatening.
2. Some infectious agents can cause cancer.
(Cancer Gov)
Particular viral, bacterial, and parasitic organisms can cause cancer or increase the risk of cancer formation. They’re called oncogenic organisms.
The human papillomavirus is one of the common cancer-causing viruses. Cervical cancer facts reveal this virus is the leading cause of cervical cancer.
Helicobacter pylori are bacteria that can cause MALT lymphoma and non-cardia gastric cancer.
3. Both benign and malignant cancers bear the suffix -oma.
(Medical News Today)
The suffix “oma-” comes from Greek and means tumor or swelling.
It occurs in names for malignant skin cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, etc. (melanoma, carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma). It also appears in benign tumor names (fibroma, hemangioma, lipoma).
4. The chance of developing cancer grows with age.
(WebMD)
Cancer stats show that cancer usually occurs after the 5th decade of life. Cancer is also widespread among seniors that comprise 28% of all new cancer diagnoses.
Scientists believe this is the case because the cells had more time to mutate and turn into cancer.
5. In 2018 alone, 17 million original cases of cancer emerged throughout the world.
(Cancer Research UK)
It is estimated that by 2040, there will be 27.5 million original cases of cancer emerging each year.
6. There were 9.6 million deaths caused by cancer worldwide in 2018.
(Cancer Research UK)
The types of cancer that caused the most deaths were bowel, lung, stomach, and liver cancer.
7. Death from cancer is most common in men rather than women, according to cancer statistics.
(National Institute of Health)
Out of every 100,000 men, 196.8 will pass away from cancer, while that number for women is 139.6.
8. There were around 15.5 million people who survived cancer in 2016 in the United States.
(National Institute of Health)
It is estimated that the number of survivors will rise to 20.3 million by the year 2026.
9. Three types of external agents can cause cancer when they interact with someone’s genetic factors.
(World Health Organization)
If you’re wondering what causes cancer, these external agents may be the answer. They are physical carcinogens (like ionizing and ultraviolet radiation), chemical carcinogens (including parts of tobacco smoke, asbestos, arsenic, and aflatoxin), and biological carcinogens (which include infections from specific viruses, certain parasites, or some bacteria).
10. There are certain risk factors that you can avoid in order to limit your chances of being diagnosed with cancer.
(World Health Organization)
These risk factors that can contribute to the cause of cancer and include being obese or overweight, bad diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, intake of pollution in the urban air, not exercising, HPV infection, various infections, smoke from solid fuels being used indoors, and ultraviolet and ionizing radiation.
11. Rectal and colon cancer are among the 10 deadliest types.
(LiveScience)
Other types include breast cancer, bronchial and lung cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia. These cancers are incredibly dangerous and cause more deaths than the many other types of cancer.
12. In 2017, the United States spent the most amount of money on oncology than any other country, say cancer statistics.
(Statista)
This is based on the portion of the global spending on oncology in that year.
13. Around 606,520 cancer-related deaths will occur in the United States in 2020.
(Statista)
Cancer comes second in the top causes of death in the country, which is a scary factor to consider.
14. The risk factor that is most important to be aware of when it comes to cancer is smoking.
(World Health Organization, CDC)
Around 343,000 of cancer deaths per year were caused by smoking each year between 2009 and 2013. This is why cigarette packaging contains warnings. Smoking increases the risk of getting many different types of cancer.
15. The most common cancers are lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
(World Health Organization)
These cancers affect millions of people worldwide and are incredibly dangerous, especially if left untreated. If caught early on, these cancers can be treated. However, there is still no cure for any form of cancer. The best-case scenario is to discover cancer in its earliest stages.
Lung Cancer: Statistics and Facts
Did you know that 90% of lung tumors turn out to be malignant? Or that Hungary topped the world’s list of lung cancer incidences in 2018?
Read on for more interesting facts and stats about one of the world’s most common types of cancer.
16. Lung cancer is currently the most common cancer in the world.
(American Lung Association, ACS Journals)
Global cancer statistics for 2018 reveal that lung cancer recorded a whopping 2.1 million new cases worldwide that year. This number was an increase in comparison to 2017, when there were 1,688,780 new cases.
Furthermore, lung cancer is one of the top 10 most deadly cancer types, taking 1.8 million lives in 2018 alone.
17. Smoking accounts for 80%–90% of lung cancer deaths.
(American Cancer Society)
Smoking men and women are 23 and 13 times more likely to get lung cancer than non-smoking individuals.
Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of developing cancer. However, the mutagenic changes that have occurred due to smoking cannot be reversed.
18. Passive smoking increases the risk of lung cancer by 20%–30%.
(Better Health Channel, CDC)
Lung cancer stats indicate that long-term second-hand smoke exposure causes 7,333 deaths from cancer every year in the U.S.
19. Exposure to carcinogenic or radioactive chemical compounds increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
(Cancer Centre)
The list of lung-cancer-causing chemicals you can get exposed to at your home or workplace include arsenic, chromium, nickel, radon, asbestos, etc.
Long-term exposure to soot, tar, diesel exhaust, and polluted air can also increase lung cancer risk.
Additionally, smokers exposed to the above-mentioned carcinogenic substances face a higher risk of developing this type of cancer than non-smokers.
20. According to lung cancer statistics, non-smokers account for 20% of lung cancer deaths in the U.S.
(American Cancer Society, PubMed Central, American Lung Association)
Mutation of the tumor suppressor gene TP53 and EGFR mutation are common causes of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Lung cancer stats reveal that 10–15% of lung cancers are EGFR-positive lung cancers.
21. Paraneoplastic syndromes can be associated with lung cancer.
(NCBI)
Paraneoplastic syndrome occurs in about 10% of lung cancer patients.
The two most common are SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion) in small cell lung cancer and HHM (humoral hypercalcemia malignancy) in squamous cell carcinoma.
22. Lungs are the most common site of metastasis.
(NCBI)
Lung cancer stats reveal that 25.8% of colorectal cancer patients, 19.4% of head and neck cancer patients, and 14.7% of urologic cancer patients develop lung nodules.
23. It is estimated that around 135,720 deaths will occur in 2020 due to lung cancer in the United States.
(American Cancer Society)
That works out to around 72,500 deaths in males and about 63,220 deaths in females. That’s a large number of deaths attributed to this incredibly common form of cancer.
24. One interesting lung cancer fact is that, in 2020, it is estimated that there will be around 228,820 new lung cancer cases in the United States.
(American Cancer Society)
This works out to be about 112,520 new cases in women and around 116,300 new lung cancer cases in men.
25. Out of every 16 people in the United States, one person will receive a lung cancer diagnosis.
(Lungevity)
This just goes to show how prevalent lung cancer is in the modern world.
26. Out of all the cancers diagnosed, lung cancer accounts for 13%.
(Lungevity)
However, lung cancer makes up 22% of all cancer-related deaths.
Breast Cancer Awareness: Facts and Stats
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer that affects a large number of women around the world. Despite being commonly thought of as a typically female malignancy, it can also affect men.
The following section will discuss the latest breast cancer facts and stats.
Let’s check them out!
27. About 7%–15% of nipple discharges are associated with breast cancer.
(NCBI)
Scanty nipple discharge with no traces of blood in it is usually ignored by patients and clinicians alike. However, nipple discharge can be one of the earliest symptoms of breast cancer.
28. Breast cancer was the most common malignancy in the world affecting women in 2018.
(World Cancer Research Fund)
Breast cancer accounted for 25.4% of newly diagnosed malignancies in 2018, making it the most common cancer in women in that period.
29. Breast tumors are most commonly located in the upper outer quadrant, according to breast cancer stats.
(BioMed Central, JJCO)
A 2005 study found that malignant lesions occur in the upper outer quadrant in 62% of the cases.
The density of tumors is also the highest in the upper outer quadrant (25.8%), followed by the lower outer quadrant (22.2%), upper inner quadrant (18.7%), and lower inner quadrant (15.1%).
The overall incidence of bilateral breast cancer is 4%–20%.
30. Around 12% of women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
(breastcancer.org)
That works out to around one in every eight women in the United States who will receive this diagnosis.
31. Among younger women, breast cancer is the most common type.
(World Health Organization)
Breast cancer statistics show that this type of cancer will affect around 2.1 million women each year around the world.
32. Men can be diagnosed with breast cancer, although it’s a lot less common than in women.
(National Breast Cancer Foundation)
Around one out of every 1,000 men in the United States will receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
33. Out of all the countries in the world, Belgium has the highest rate of breast cancer.
(World Cancer Research Fund)
Luxembourg comes a close second and the Netherlands a close third.
Colon Cancer Facts and Stats
Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer, affecting over 100,000 adults a year in the U.S. alone. It’s also the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
Let’s check out the most important facts and stats about this widespread malignancy.
34. Colon cancer is the most common gastrointestinal tract malignancy.
(Medscape) (American Cancer Society)
According to colon cancer stats, the lifetime risk of colorectal cancer for men is 4.3% and 4.0% for women.
Despite occupying over three-quarters of the length of the gastrointestinal tract, the small intestine is a rare neoplasm location.
35. Streptococcus gallolyticus may be associated with colorectal cancer.
(PubMed Central)
Statistics show that 25%–80% of patients with the bacterium in question have associated colorectal tumors.
36. Colorectal cancer is the second highest cause of death by cancer in the United States.
(Fight Colorectal Cancer)
Colon cancer stats show that 2020 will likely see around 147,950 new cases of colorectal cancer.
37. Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer found both in the colon and the rectum.
(Colon Cancer Coalition)
This is a common and deadly form of cancer that affects many people around the world, regardless of gender.
38. The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you get older.
(Colon Cancer Coalition)
In around 90% of cases, those with colorectal cancer are over the age of 50 years old. However, the rate of colorectal cancer among younger people is increasing over time, while the rate of those suffering from this cancer later in life is declining.
39. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in both women and men.
(American Cancer Society)
It is a dangerous and painful form of cancer that affects both men and women, young and old, although it is more prevalent in older people.
Prostate Cancer Facts and Stats
Prostate cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer and the second most common cancer in men.
40. Prostate cancer most commonly develops in the peripheral zone.
(Sperling Prostate Center)
A staggering 70%–80% of prostate cancers develop in the peripheral zone. On the other hand, prostate hyperplasia most commonly occurs in the transitional zone.
41. Prostate adenocarcinoma is the most common form of cancer in males.
(Cancer Treatment Centers of America, NCBI, Cancer Net)
Prostate cancer stats indicate that prostatic adenocarcinoma accounts for 99% of prostate cancer diagnoses.
The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. Most cancer patients are over 50—60% of prostate cancer patients are older than 65, while one-fifth is older than 75.
42. Familial prostate cancer accounts for 20% of all prostate cancer diagnoses.
(Cancer Net)
The likelihood of inheriting prostate cancer from a first-degree relative is the highest. The chance of hereditary prostate cancer (inherited from a farther relative from the family tree) is much smaller—only 5%, according to the prostate cancer stats.
43. The Gleason Score is used to determine prostate cancer grade.
(Prostate Cancer Foundation)
Cancerous cells fall into five different patterns when changing from normal to tumor cells. The Gleason Score shows how different the tumor cells are from the normal ones.
Grade 1 cells are almost identical to normal cells, while grade 5 cells barely look like normal cells due to the numerous mutations they suffered.
The Gleason Scores typically range from six to ten, six denoting low-grade cancer, seven referring to the intermediate grade cancer, and 8–10 being high-grade cancer.
44. Prostate-specific antigen test is the most common prostate cancer diagnostic test.
(WebMD)
The test is typically performed by drawing blood and determining the PSA levels in it. High PSA levels can indicate enlarged prostate gland, prostatitis, or prostate cancer.
45. Around one in every nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during the course of his life.
(American Cancer Society)
One of the most important prostate cancer facts: This form of cancer is more common in older males, with 60% of cases being diagnosed in those over the age of 65.
46. It is estimated that 2020 will see around 191,930 new prostate cancer cases in the United States.
(American Cancer Society)
The estimated amount of deaths caused by prostate cancer is 33,330 in the year 2020.
47. It is estimated that every 16 minutes, a man dies from prostate cancer in the United States.
(Zero)
That works out to more than 91 deaths every single day and around 33,330 in a year.
48. The average age of those who receive a prostate cancer diagnosis is around 66 years old.
(Cancer Treatments Centers of America)
Of those who die from prostate cancer, the average age is 80 years old.
Uterine Cancer Stats and Facts
Uterine cancer is a serious condition affecting hundreds of thousands of women around the globe every year.
Uterine cancer statistics for 2021 remind us of the importance of preventive screenings by revealing that it’s likely that, by the end of the year, 66,570 new endometrial cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. alone
Let’s dive into the most vital stats and facts concerning the most common uterine cancer type—endometrial cancer.
49. Endometrial carcinoma is the most common cancer in women in the developed world.
(Medscape)
About 2.8% of U.S. women are diagnosed with this type of cancer at some point in their life. Statistics show that most endometrial cancer patients are postmenopausal (75%).
Developing endometrial cancer in perimenopausal or premenopausal age may result in subtler symptoms for 25% of the patients.
59. Endometrial hyperplasia is a precursor of endometrial cancer.
(NCBI)
This gynecological disorder occurs due to the prolonged exposure to estrogen and a relative deficiency of progesterone. The risk factors for developing endometrial hyperplasia include age, obesity, PCOS, ovarian tumors, diabetes mellitus, etc.
The Most Common Cancer-Prevention Supplements
There’s a widespread belief that adequate intake of certain nutrients may help keep life-threatening conditions such as cancer at bay. Every now and then, new prevention techniques and a potential cancer cure appear in the news.
But can supplements really help with cancer?
51. It’s important to note that cancer cannot be fully prevented through the use of supplements.
(Healthline)
However, certain supplements are believed to aid in prevention or help with recovery from cancer.
52. Eight supplements are believed to help with cancer, including ground flax seed and ginger.
(Healthline)
The other six supplements are garlic, green tea, vitamin E, vitamin D, turmeric, and selenium.
FAQs
How does cancer kill you?
Cancer can kill a person by invading the organs that the body needs in order to stay alive. It then stops certain functions in the body, and by stopping those functions, it stops the body from being able to operate in a healthy way.
When left untreated, cancer spreads and can be incredibly dangerous and lethal. If caught early on and treated appropriately, cancer can be managed and removed in certain cases. The most important thing is to diagnose cancer in its earliest stages.
How many types of cancer are there?
The different forms of cancer are categorized by the parts of the body affected by cancer. However, cancer is also classified by what kind of cells it attacks. There are five types of categories that cancer can be labeled under.
These categories are carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma, and melanoma. Carcinoma originates in the cells of the skin or, alternatively, in the tissue that surrounds certain organs. Sarcoma originates in the connective tissue cells. Leukemia is liquid cancer that can be found in the blood or in the bone marrow. Lymphoma attacks the white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which counter infections. Melanoma originates in the cells of the skin that have pigment in them.
How many people die from cancer each year?
It is estimated that around 10 million people throughout the world die from cancer each and every year. This is a large and scary number that shows just how prevalent cancer is in the modern world. Cancer is one of the top causes of death around the world.
As the global population grows each year, we see a rise in cases of cancer. The aging population is most at risk of getting cancer and ultimately passing away because of it. In 2017, 46% of people who died from cancer were over the age of 70.
Which cancer has the lowest survival rate?
All cancers are not equal in how badly they affect the body. Some cancers can be removed or treated with chemotherapy. Other cancers are far more deadly. The deadliest cancers include bronchial and lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, liver cancer, ovarian cancer, and esophageal cancer.
The above cancers are more invasive and have a lower survival rate among those who are diagnosed with these types.
Final Thoughts
These terrifying cancer statistics show just how prevalent all types of cancer are around the world. Almost 10 million people pass away due to cancer each year, and there is no cure. However, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting cancer, like avoiding too much alcohol or not smoking tobacco. Living healthfully can also help reduce the risk of getting cancer.
Sources:
- ACS Journals
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Lung Association
- American Lung Association
- Better Health Channel
- BioMed Central
- breastcancer.org
- Cancer Centre
- Cancer Gov
- Cancer Net
- Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Treatments Centers of America
- Cancer Treatment Centres of America
- CDC
- CDC
- Colon Cancer Coalition
- Fight Colorectal Cancer
- Healthline
- JJCO
- LiveScience
- Lungevity
- Medical News Today
- Medscape
- Medscape
- National Breast Cancer Foundation
- National Institute of Health
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- Our World in Data
- Prostate Cancer Foundation
- PubMed Central
- Reader’s Digest
- Sperling Prostate Center
- Statista
- WebMD
- WebMD
- World Cancer Research Fund
- World Cancer Research Fund
- World Health Organization
- World Health Organization
- Zero
