To analyze trends in cancer incidence and mortality, with a focus on lung cancer outcomes in the U.S.
Approach:
Data Sources: Population-based cancer incidence data from registries funded by the CDC and/or NCI, and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics.
Analysis Period: Evaluation of data from 2000 to 2025, focusing on age-standardized rates and trends by cancer type, sex, race, ethnicity, and age.
Key Findings:
Overall cancer mortality declined 1.6% per year among males and 1.1% per year among females from 2019 to 2023.
Lung cancer mortality decreased 52% among males, from 70.3 to 34 deaths per 100,000, and 37% among females, from 41 to 25.7 deaths per 100,000, from 2004 to 2023.
Lung cancer incidence decreased by 38% among males, from 88.7 to 55.2 cases per 100,000, and 15% among females, from 55.8 to 47.7 cases per 100,000, from 2003 to 2022.
Five-year relative survival for lung cancer doubled from 15% in 2000 to 30% in 2018.
Overall cancer incidence increased an average of 0.2% per year from 2018 to 2022, particularly among females.
Interpretation:
The report indicates progress in lung cancer outcomes, with declines in mortality rates, while overall cancer incidence trends varied by sex and cancer type.
Limitations:
Potential influence of the 20-year analytic period on trend selection.
Incomplete or inaccurate recording of race or Hispanic origin may affect subgroup findings.
Wide confidence intervals for some subgroup estimates due to small sample sizes.
Changes in cancer classification over time may affect trends.
Conclusion:
Sustained declines in cancer mortality are attributed to advancements in lung cancer prevention and control, despite increasing overall cancer incidence among females.
