Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2016

TLDR

Cancer survivorship is rising due to advances in early detection, treatment, and population aging, yet survivors have distinct medical and psychosocial needs that require proactive primary‑care assessment and evidence‑based tools. The American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute estimate current and future survivor numbers using SEER data and present treatment patterns and side‑effect profiles from the National Cancer Data Base to guide public‑health planning. In 2016, 15.5 million Americans were living with a cancer history, projected to exceed 20 million by 2026; the most common cancers were prostate, colon‑rectum, and melanoma in men and breast, uterine corpus, and colon‑rectum in women, with 56 % diagnosed within the past decade and 47 % aged 70 or older. Published in CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:271‑289; © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Abstract

The number of cancer survivors continues to increase because of both advances in early detection and treatment and the aging and growth of the population. For the public health community to better serve these survivors, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute collaborate to estimate the number of current and future cancer survivors using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries. In addition, current treatment patterns for the most prevalent cancer types are presented based on information in the National Cancer Data Base and treatment-related side effects are briefly described. More than 15.5 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive on January 1, 2016, and this number is projected to reach more than 20 million by January 1, 2026. The 3 most prevalent cancers are prostate (3,306,760), colon and rectum (724,690), and melanoma (614,460) among males and breast (3,560,570), uterine corpus (757,190), and colon and rectum (727,350) among females. More than one-half (56%) of survivors were diagnosed within the past 10 years, and almost one-half (47%) are aged 70 years or older. People with a history of cancer have unique medical and psychosocial needs that require proactive assessment and management by primary care providers. Although there are a growing number of tools that can assist patients, caregivers, and clinicians in navigating the various phases of cancer survivorship, further evidence-based resources are needed to optimize care. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:271-289. © 2016 American Cancer Society.