ACS Annual Report Reveals Declining Cancer Mortality Rates Despite Rising Incidence Among Women

ACS Annual Report: Insights into Cancer Trends 2025

The American Cancer Society (ACS) released its annual report today, presenting a thorough analysis of cancer statistics and trends for 2025. This year’s report brings some encouraging news alongside troubling trends that warrant attention.

One of the most striking outcomes from the report is the notable decline in overall cancer mortality. Since 1991, the cancer death rate has decreased by 34%, helping to prevent around 4.5 million deaths in the United States. This progress can largely be attributed to reductions in tobacco use, advancements in treatment options, and enhanced early detection efforts. Dr. Rebecca Siegel, a lead author on the report, expressed optimism, stating, "The decline in mortality rates is a victory for public health and for cancer research efforts."

However, amidst this positive news lies a pattern of increasing cancer incidence, particularly among women and younger adults. The report highlights that new cancer diagnoses among women aged 50 to 64 have now surpassed those among men in the same age group. Alarmingly, women under the age of 50 are experiencing diagnoses at rates 82% higher than their male counterparts, a significant increase from 51% in 2002. This trend extends to lung cancer, where incidences have overtaken those of men among the population under 65.

The disparities in cancer trends also raise concerns regarding the future landscape of cancer in the U.S. Researchers estimate that there will be 2,041,910 new cancer diagnoses this year, which averages out to approximately 5,600 new cases diagnosed every day, alongside 618,120 projected deaths from the disease. The report provides a sobering forecast, as it aligns with the rising incidence of common cancers such as breast, prostate, pancreatic, body uterine, and oral cancers, with the latter showing notable associations with HPV infections.

Beyond these findings, the ACS highlighted a concerning stagnation in advancements against pancreatic cancer, which remains the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. with a grim five-year survival rate of only 8%. Both its incidence and mortality rates are on the rise, signaling a critical need for improved treatment and research funding.

Despite the challenges, the ACS continues to pursue innovative solutions to address these trends. Presently, the organization supports over $450 million in cancer research grants aimed at discovering new therapies and improving survivorship care. According to Dr. William Dahut, the chief scientific officer at ACS, "Our commitment to funding pivotal research is critical to finding answers that can save lives."

Another illuminating aspect of the report is the persistent disparities in cancer burden across different demographic groups. Alarmingly, Native American populations experience mortality rates that are 2 to 3 times higher than those of white populations, particularly concerning kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers. Moreover, Black individuals face double the mortality rates from prostate and uterine cancers compared to their white counterparts.

Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, who leads the ACS surveillance and health equity research, stressed that progress continues to be undermined by systemic inequities across racial and ethnic groups. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among healthcare systems, providers, and policymakers to eliminate these disparities and ensure equitable cancer care for all populations.

The 2025 report also indicates a worrying trend in children's and adolescent cancer incidences. Although rates for children under 14 have trended downwards after years of increase, adolescent cancer rates show a rise, highlighting an urgent need to understand these changes.

In conclusion, while the ACS’s annual report brings forth hopeful progress in reducing cancer mortality, it also highlights the growing incidence rates among women and youth, the stagnation of advancements in certain cancer treatments, and persistent inequalities in cancer care. As we move forward, it is essential for all stakeholders in the healthcare system to collaborate and invest in vulnerable populations to improve outcomes for those affected by cancer. The ACS remains committed to ensuring access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship support for everyone.

For further insights and detailed statistics, the report can be accessed via cancer.org.