New cancer diagnoses are projected to exceed 2 million for the first time, revealed the Cancer Statistics, 2024 report issued this week by the American Cancer Society.
While overall mortality from cancer continued to decline, increasing incidence for six of the 10 most common cancers contributed to the projected incline in diagnoses.
“As a nation, we’ve dropped the ball on cancer prevention as incidence continues to increase for many common cancers – like breast, prostate, and endometrial, as well as colorectal and cervical cancers in some young adults,” said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director, surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report.
To compile the report, the society utilized the most recent data on population-based cancer occurrence and outcomes using incidence data collected by central cancer registries (through 2020) and mortality data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics (through 2021). Here is a breakdown of the new cases by state:
Alabama: 30,270
Alaska: 3,710
Arizona: 42,670
Arkansas: 19,100
California: 193,880
Colorado: 29,430
Connecticut: 23,550
Delaware: 7,340
District of Columbia: 3,300
Florida: 160,680
Georgia: 63,170
Hawaii: 8,670
Idaho: 11,120
Illinois: 78,200
Indiana: 42,710
Iowa: 20,930
Kansas: 16,640
Kentucky: 30,630
Louisiana: 29,400
Maine: 10,700
Maryland: 36,410
Massachusetts: 44,040
Michigan: 64,530
Minnesota: 37,930
Mississippi: 18,170
Missouri: 39,120
Montana: 7,310
Nebraska: 11,790
Nevada: 18,250
New Hampshire: 9,880
New Jersey: 57,740
New Mexico: 11,220
New York: 122,990
North Carolina: 69,060
North Dakota: 4,610
Ohio: 76,280
Oklahoma: 24,450
Oregon: 26,200
Pennsylvania: 89,410
Rhode Island: 7,210
South Carolina: 34,650
South Dakota: 5,680
Tennessee: 43,170
Texas: 147,910
Utah: 13,560
Vermont: 4,500
Virginia: 48,560
Washington: 44,470
West Virginia: 12,890
Wisconsin: 39,750
Wyoming: 3,320
Cancers on the rise include: breast, pancreas, and uterine corpus, prostate, liver (female), kidney, human papillomavirus-associated oral cancers and melanoma. There were also increases in cervical (ages 30–44 years) and colorectal cancers (ages <55 years) in young adults.
In particular, a recent a spike in colorectal cancer “rapidly” shifted mortality patterns for adults under age 50. It is now the leading cause of cancer death in younger men and the second in younger women.
“The continuous sharp increase in colorectal cancer in younger Americans is alarming,” said Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president, surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study. “We need to halt and reverse this trend by increasing uptake of screening, including awareness of non-invasive stool tests with follow-up care, in people 45-49 years. Up to one-third of people diagnosed before 50 have a family history or genetic predisposition and should begin screening before age 45 years. We also need to increase investment to elucidate the underlying reasons for the rising incidence to uncover additional preventive measures.”
Other findings from the report indicate that cervical cancer incidence increased for women ages 30 to 44 but decreased steeply for women in their 20s. Cancer incidence in children also leveled off, though cancer rates continue to increase among adolescents. Overall, cancer patients are getting younger, said the ACS.
“People younger than 65 are less likely to have health insurance and more likely to be juggling family and careers,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society. “Also, men and women diagnosed younger have a longer life expectancy in which to suffer treatment-related side effects, such as second cancers.”
Experts said that the recent findings highlight a need for public policy interventions, especially to lessen economic and racial disparities related to cancer outcomes.