The new American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures Report is out, and it brings both good news and bad news. The good news is that cancer mortality rates continue to decline. The bad news is that new cancer cases are projected to top two million for 2024.
Cancer deaths continue to decline “thanks to increased screenings, lower tobacco use, and cancer research that gave us better treatments,” said Dr. Bill Dahut, ACS Chief Scientific Officer AND Pan Ohio Hope Rider when speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America.
As Dr. Dahut shares, this year’s report also revealed that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men and the second leading cause in women under 50. This is especially disheartening since regular screenings can detect and even help prevent colon cancer. A polyp in the colon can take years to develop into cancer. With regular screenings, starting at age 45 for “average risk” individuals, doctors can find and remove polyps before they have a chance to turn into cancer. Learn about screenings, detection, prevention, and more at cancer.org/coloncancer.
The American Cancer Society’s 2024 Cancer Facts & Figures Report is an annual report that compiles the most recent data on population-based cancer occurrences and outcomes. Read the full report online.
American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride 