Cancer is one of the most widespread diseases in the world, with over 200 different types identified.
In the United States, 13 specific cancers are diagnosed far more often than others.
Here’s a quick and informative overview of the most common cancers and their survival rates.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, second only to skin cancer.
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Although it primarily affects women, men can get it too. The 5-year survival rate is relatively high at 90 %, but the disease still causes over 41,000 female and 500 male deaths annually in the U.S.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer but remains the deadliest.
With more than 228,000 new cases and almost 143,000 deaths each year, it poses a serious health threat.
The 5-year survival rate is only 23 %, making prevention — especially quitting smoking — critical.
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Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men.
It often grows slowly and has a high 5-year survival rate of 98 %, highlighting the importance of early detection and routine screening.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer includes cancers of the colon and rectum, which together make up the large intestine.
With over 145,000 new diagnoses and more than 51,000 deaths per year, it’s a serious health concern. The 5-year survival rate stands at 64 %.
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Skin cancer
Skin cancer begins in pigment-producing skin cells and is the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
Though it typically appears on the skin, it can also develop in the eyes or other pigmented tissues. Early detection is key, with a high survival rate of 92 %.
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer usually affects older adults and occurs more frequently in men. About 80,000 people are diagnosed yearly, and nearly 18,000 die from the disease.
The 5-year survival rate is 77 %, suggesting good treatment outcomes for many.
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Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
This cancer begins in the lymphatic system and affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes.
Each year, around 74,000 people are diagnosed, and nearly 20,000 die. The 5-year survival rate is 71 %.
Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma and cancer of the renal pelvis. It typically occurs in one kidney and forms as a single tumor.
With around 73,000 new cases and nearly 15,000 deaths per year, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 75 %.
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Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus, is far more common than the rare uterine sarcoma.
Each year, about 62,000 women are diagnosed, and over 12,000 die from it. The 5-year survival rate is relatively high at 84 %.
Leukemia
Leukemia refers to a group of cancers that begin in the bone marrow, causing abnormal white blood cells to build up and disrupt the body’s ability to fight infection and carry oxygen.
It leads to more than 61,000 new cases and over 22,000 deaths yearly. The survival rate is around 61.4 %.
Pancreatic cancer
This cancer starts in the pancreas and spreads quickly to nearby organs, making it one of the most deadly types.
It causes about 56,000 new cases and 45,000 deaths every year. With a devastatingly low 5-year survival rate of just 9 %, it remains one of the hardest cancers to treat.
Thyroid cancer
While anaplastic thyroid cancer is aggressive, most cases (such as papillary thyroid cancer) are highly treatable.
With over 52,000 new cases and only 2,170 deaths annually, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100 %, making it one of the most survivable cancers.
Liver cancer
Liver cancer includes hepatocellular carcinoma, bile duct cancer, and hepatoblastoma. It’s often linked to liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B or C infections.
About 42,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and more than 31,000 people die from it. The 5-year survival rate is only 18 %.
This article is based on information from Healthline.com.