Most Common Cancer Diseases In The United States

Most common cancer diseases in the United States, both men and females, are often questioned. But there are two possible answers to this question.

Whether you define it as the cancers that are most commonly diagnosed or the cancers that most frequently result in terminal disease and death will determine the replies.

Deaths versus Cases

The American Cancer Society keeps track of cancer information in the United States every year. In their predictions for 2022, they say that more than 1.9 million new cancer cases will likely be found, and about 609,360 people might die from cancer. These numbers include all kinds of cancer.

As we enter 2023, it’s expected that about 2.0 million people in the United States will be told they have cancer. Among these cases, breast cancer is likely to be the most common, with around 297,790 women and 2,800 men getting this diagnosis. For men, prostate cancer will be the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common overall, with approximately 288,300 cases. Lung and bronchus cancer is expected to be the third most frequently diagnosed cancer, with around 238,340 new cases.

In 2023, it’s estimated that about 609,820 people in the United States will die from cancer. Among these, lung and bronchus cancer will be the leading cause of death, responsible for 127,070 fatalities. This number is nearly three times higher than the 52,550 deaths from colorectal cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Pancreatic cancer will be the third deadliest cancer, causing 50,550 deaths.

For instance, approximately a third of all cancer diagnoses in women will be breast cancer in 2022.

 People’s perceptions of personal dangers related to malignancies that can impact them may vary due to this information. For certain ethnic and minority groups, who historically have been more susceptible to the effects of cancer, this is particularly crucial.

Remember that the chance of dying from cancer is influenced by more than just statistics, such as the stage at which it was discovered. The course of cancer treatment may significantly change with early identification. For instance, more lung cancers are found at earlier stages today than in advanced settings.

Most common cancer diseases in the United States

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most widespread cancer among women in the United States, regardless of their background. It can affect both women and, though less often, men. In 2023, the American Cancer Society predicts that about 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be found in women, and roughly 2,650 new cases will be discovered in men.

Factors that affect your risk:
  • Gender: Women have a much higher risk than men.
  • Age: The older you are, the higher the risk, with most cases happening in women over 50.
  • Family History: If other family members have had breast cancer, your risk may be higher.
  • Genetic Changes: Having certain genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase the chance of getting breast cancer.
Ways to find and treat breast cancer:
  • Mammograms: Regular breast screenings with mammograms are essential for catching it early.
  • Surgery: Treatment choices may involve removing just the tumor (lumpectomy) or the entire breast (mastectomy).
  • Treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are common approaches to fight breast cancer.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a very serious and common type of cancer in the United States. It’s often discovered when it’s already advanced, and treatment choices are limited. In 2023, it’s expected that around 230,760 new cases of lung cancer will be found.

Factors that can increase your risk:
  • Smoking: Smoking cigarettes is the main reason people get lung cancer.
  • Secondhand Smoke: Breathing in smoke from others who smoke can also raise your risk.
  • Radon Gas: Inhaling radon gas in homes can contribute to lung cancer.
  • Job Exposure: Certain jobs, like coal mining, can expose you to cancer-causing substances.
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Ways to find and treat lung cancer:
  • Low-Dose CT Scans: People at high risk, especially current or former smokers, might have CT scans to catch it early.
  • Treatment options depend on the stage of cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects your colon or rectum and is the third most common cancer in the United States. In 2023, it’s expected that there will be about 149,500 new cases of colorectal cancer.

Things that can make you more likely to get it:
  • Age: The risk goes up as you get older, especially for folks over 50.
  • Family History: If others in your family have colorectal cancer or you have certain genetic conditions, you might have a higher risk.
  • Diet: Eating foods low in fiber and high in red or processed meats can make the risk go up.
  • Lifestyle: Not moving around much, being overweight, and drinking too much alcohol can add to the risk.
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How to find and treat colorectal cancer:
  • Screening tests like colonoscopy are crucial to finding it early.
  • Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on how far along the cancer is.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the United States, and it’s estimated that there will be about 259,940 new cases in 2023. Even though it’s common, it often grows slowly and might not show any signs for many years.

Things that can make you more likely to get it:
  • Age: The older you are, the higher the risk, with most cases happening in men over 65.
  • Family History: If others in your family had prostate cancer, you might be at a higher risk.
  • Race: African American men are more likely to get it.
  • Diet: Eating a lot of saturated fats and not enough fruits and veggies can play a role.
How to find and treat prostate cancer:
  • Tests like the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam can help screen for it.
  • Treatment options can include keeping a close watch on it (active surveillance), surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the situation.

Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma and Melanoma)

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and more than 5 million people get it every year. There are two main types: non-melanoma and melanoma.

Things that can make you more likely to get it:
  • Sun and Tanning Beds: Spending time in the sun or using tanning beds with UV radiation is a big risk.
  • Fair Skin: If you have light skin, hair, and blue or green eyes, you’re more likely to get it.
  • Family History: If others in your family had skin cancer, it can increase your risk.
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How to find and treat skin cancer:
  • Getting your skin checked by a dermatologist regularly is important to catch it early.
  • Treatment depends on the type and how far along it is. It might include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.

The primary reason for cancer deaths

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. But there are ways to reduce the risk or find it early. In the US, lung cancer causes the most cancer-related deaths, affecting both men and women. It’s the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both, with 130,180 cases. Colon cancer is next with 52,580 cases, followed by breast cancer with 43,780, and prostate cancer with 35,000. Even though breast and prostate cancer have more new cases each year, lung cancer stands out as a bigger threat when you look at both diagnoses and deaths together. Also, less common diseases like pancreatic cancer have a higher risk of being deadly.

Big things that can increase the chances of getting cancers that you can avoid include smoking, being out in the sun or tanning beds too much, being overweight or obese, and drinking too much alcohol.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are really important in leading efforts to lower the chances of getting avoidable cancers, improve the health of people who’ve had cancer, and make sure everyone has a fair chance to be as healthy as possible. Inside the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, several teams are working hard to reduce things that can raise the risk of getting cancers you can prevent. They also encourage early cancer checks and collect information on all cancer cases reported in the United States.

Cancer in women

Several types of cancer frequently impact women, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer, and ovarian cancer. Breast cancer was predicted to be the most prevalent cancer diagnosis among designated females at birth in 2022. These were expected to be the top five malignancies diagnosed most frequently:

  • 31% of the diagnoses are for breast cancer.
  • Bronchial and lung cancer: 3%
  • Cancers of the colon: 8%
  • Infertility cancer: 7%
  • Melanoma: 5%

Steps to take to reduce the Risk of Cancer 

Here are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer:

  1. Quit Smoking: If you smoke stopping is the best way to lower your risk, especially for lung cancer.
  2. Stay a Healthy Weight: Eating right and exercising can help you maintain a healthy weight, which lowers the risk of many cancers.
  3. Get Moving: Regular exercise helps with weight control and reduces the risk of certain cancers.
  4. Eat Healthy: A balanced diet with lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains is good. Try to eat less red meat, processed meat, and highly processed foods.
  5. Limit Alcohol: If you drink, try not to have more than one drink a day for women.
  6. Protect Your Skin: Use sunscreen, wear protective clothes, and avoid too much sun or tanning beds to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
  7. Cancer Check-Ups: Get regular cancer screening tests as recommended by your doctor, depending on your age, gender, and risk factors. Examples include mammograms for breast cancer and colonoscopies for colorectal cancer.
  8. Know Your Family History: Learn about your family’s medical history, as some cancers can run in families. This helps you and your doctor decide on the right screenings and prevention.
  9. Vaccinations: Think about getting vaccines that can lower the risk of certain cancers, like the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer.
  10. Avoid Harmful Stuff: Try to stay away from things that can cause cancer, like dangerous chemicals in the environment or at work.
  11. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest info on cancer prevention and talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
  12. Manage Stress: Find ways to deal with stress, like relaxing or talking to someone when you need to, because chronic stress might raise the risk of cancer.

Remember, these steps can help, but they don’t guarantee you won’t get cancer. Regular check-ups and screenings are still important to catch cancer early if it does happen

Conclusion

It’s important to know how common cancer is and why it causes so many deaths in the United States. This helps us tell people about it, find it early, and work on better ways to treat it. Lung cancer is still really hard to beat, but we’re getting better at finding and treating it.

Breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer are also big worries, but we can do a lot to catch them early with regular check-ups and use better treatments. To fight cancer, we need to do lots of things, like making healthy choices to stop it from happening, getting checked to find it early, and studying new treatments. People need to know about cancer, and they should have good healthcare to help them if they get it. That way, we can make these common cancers less of a problem and make life better for people who have them.

FAQs 

FAQ 1: What are the most common cancer diseases in the United States in 2023?

Answer: In 2023, the most common cancer diseases in the United States include breast cancer (most common among women), lung and bronchus cancer (leading in cancer-related deaths), colorectal cancer, prostate cancer (most common among men), and skin cancer (non-melanoma and melanoma). These cancers vary in their prevalence and impact on mortality.

FAQ 2: What are the primary reasons for cancer-related deaths in the United States?

Answer: The primary reason for cancer-related deaths in the United States in 2023 is lung cancer, which affects both men and women. It leads the statistics with an estimated 130,180 deaths. Other significant contributors to cancer-related deaths include colorectal cancer and breast cancer, with 52,580 and 43,780 deaths, respectively.

FAQ 3: How can individuals reduce their risk of developing these common cancers?

Answer: To reduce the risk of developing common cancers like lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, and skin cancer, individuals can take several proactive steps. These include quitting smoking or avoiding tobacco products, maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, engaging in regular physical activity, protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure, undergoing recommended cancer screenings based on age and risk factors, and discussing genetic testing with healthcare providers when appropriate. Early detection through screenings and adopting a healthy lifestyle are key strategies for cancer prevention. 

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