Cancer Statistics

Cancer Statistics for Americans

(From the American Cancer Society and National Cancer
Institute)


Since 1990, 5 million people have died from cancer.
That equals one person every minute.

Approximately 1.3 million new cases of cancer are
expected to be diagnosed in 1998.

Men have a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer.

Women have a 1 in 3 lifetime risk of developing
cancer.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death; heart
disease is the first.

One of every four deaths is from cancer.

Approximately 8 million Americans alive today have a
history of cancer.

Some can be considered cured, even if their cancer
returns after 5 years. Others still have cancer.

The overall annual costs for cancer equal $107
billion; $37 billion of that amount accounts for
direct medical costs.

Treatment of breast, lung, and prostate cancers
account for more than half of the direct medical
costs.