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Yesterday marked the 37th National Cancer Survivors Day, a day to honor the strength and resilience of cancer survivors nationwide. Data shows there were [18.1 million cancer survivors]([link removed]) in the United States as of January 2022. USAFacts has a trove of data on the demographics of people diagnosed with cancer, survival rates, and more.
- From 2000 to 2019, the cancer incidence rate decreased by 5.4%, while the mortality rate dropped by 26.7%.
[Pie chart showing estimated cancer cases and deaths]([link removed])
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In 2023, breast, prostate, and lung cancers comprised more of the 1.96 million new cases nationwide than other cancer types. Lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers were responsible for the biggest shares of the more than 600,000 cancer deaths. (New pancreatic cancer cases are included in the “other” category.)
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While cases and deaths have increased as the population has grown, the data shows some good news: cancer deaths rose by 8.4% from 2000 to 2019, less than the 36.5% rise in new cases over the same period. This indicates that improved screenings and treatments can help patients survive.
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Non-Hispanic Black Americans had the highest cancer mortality rate, at 164.3 per 100,000 people. Native Americans/Alaska Natives had a similar rate: 162.8 per 100,000. Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander Americans had the lowest mortality rate at 92.4 cases per 100,000.
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Early cancer screenings can help lower mortality rates over time. That’s the case for prostate cancer, the mortality rate for which dropped from 30.4 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000 to 18.4 in 2019.
Learn more about the [five-year survival rates for dozens of cancers]([link removed]). For even deeper dives, see the data on [colon cancer]([link removed]) and [breast cancer]([link removed]).
Which states have the highest cancer rates?
Cancer rates differ by state, telling another aspect of this story. Several Southern states have high cancer mortality rates despite lower case rates. Demographic factors, behavioral patterns, and healthcare access also play a role. [Here’s how the states compare]([link removed]).
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US cancer rate was 450.8 per 100,000 people in 2019.
[Map showing age-adjusted cancer rates]([link removed])
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Kentucky’s age-adjusted cancer incidence rate was 516.6 per 100,000 people — the highest in the nation. Iowa followed with 501.8 per 100,000, then Louisiana at 498.8. Nevada had the lowest rate (351.5), followed by Arizona (379.5) and New Mexico (381.0).
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Mississippi had the highest cancer mortality rate: 178.8 deaths per 100,000, over 20% above the national average of 146.0. Puerto Rico had the lowest rate, at 104.0 per 100,000.
Learn more about [cancer rates by state]([link removed]).
Data behind the news
Detroit is suing the Census Bureau for a methodology that it says undercounted its citizens. Here’s a reminder of what was [new in the 2020 census]([link removed]).
The Corral Fire, a fast-spreading wildfire east of San Francisco, had burned more than 14,000 acres by late Sunday. See how many [wildfires occur in the US]([link removed]).
How well do you know the facts? [Test yourself]([link removed]) to find out!
One last fact
[Line chart showing labor force participation rate]([link removed])
The [labor force participation rate]([link removed]) is the percentage of the civilian population that is 16 years or older working or looking for work. The biggest dip in the immigrant participation rate was in 2020, falling from 66.5% in January to 61.8% in April.
After the COVID-19 low, the labor force participation rate of foreign-born workers rose faster than that of their native-born counterparts. By September 2023, the foreign-born labor force participation rate was 67.1%. The native-born rate was 61.8%.
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