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American Cancer Society Reports Groundbreaking Findings on Cancer Survival Rates

On January 13, 2026, the American Cancer Society (ACS) marked a significant milestone in cancer research and public health with the release of its annual report, Cancer Statistics 2026. This comprehensive analysis reveals that the relative five-year survival rate for all cancer types has reached 70% for individuals diagnosed between 2015 and 2021 in the United States. This is a remarkable achievement considering that just a few decades ago, survival rates were significantly lower.

One of the most encouraging insights from this report indicates that advancements in treatment have substantially improved the outcomes for patients with previously deadly cancers. For example, survival rates for multiple myeloma increased from 32% to 62%, liver cancer from 7% to 22%, and lung cancer from 15% to 28%. These figures underline the progress made in the fight against cancer, transforming many conditions from terminal diagnoses into manageable chronic diseases.

Rebecca Siegel, the ACS's Senior Director of Surveillance Research, highlights this achievement as a testament to years of dedicated cancer research and clinical advancements. She noted, "Seven out of ten people now survive their cancer for five years or more, compared to only half in the 1970s. This impressive victory shows the power of scientific innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare."

The ACS's annual report, first introduced in 1951, has evolved into a crucial resource for understanding cancer trends in the United States. By analyzing data across various demographics and regions, the ACS aims to inform cancer prevention strategies and improve public health initiatives. This year's insights involved integrating data from cancer registries and the National Center for Health Statistics, ensuring a comprehensive overview of incidence and mortality rates.

In 2026, approximately 2.1 million new cancer diagnoses are predicted in the U.S., alongside 626,140 cancer-related deaths. While the overall mortality rate continues to decline (with a 34% reduction since its peak in 1991), the incidence of certain common cancers, such as breast, prostate, liver (among women), melanoma (among women), oral cavity, pancreas, and uterine cancers, continues to rise.

The ACS calls attention to the ongoing challenges within cancer research funding and healthcare access. Shane Jacobson, CEO of the ACS, expresses concern that potential funding threats could reverse the hard-won progress made in cancer research and treatment access. He stresses the importance of sustained support to continue advancing cancer care and outcomes.

The report also highlights other critical findings:

• - Five-year survival rates have significantly improved for distant stage cancers since the mid-1990s, doubling from 17% to 35% for all cancers combined, from 16% to 35% for melanoma, and from 8% to 18% for rectal cancer.
• - Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, exceeding colorectal and pancreatic cancers combined.
• - Among those with advanced lung cancer, survival rates have improved from 20% to 37% for regional disease and from 2% to 10% for distant-stage disease since the mid-1990s.
• - Native Americans exhibit the highest cancer mortality rates, particularly for kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers, at nearly double the rates of white populations.

Addressing these disparities is crucial, according to Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, Senior Vice President of Surveillance Research at ACS, who emphasizes that improving access to quality cancer care and addressing socioeconomic factors is vital for reducing racial inequalities in cancer outcomes.

As cancer survival continues to improve, there remains an urgent need to address the physical, emotional, and financial challenges faced by cancer survivors. Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the ACS, notes that while many resources are available to support survivors, there is still much work to be done to provide equitable care and support to all patients.

The ACS has developed guidelines and resources for cancer survivors, aiming to assist them with their medical care and quality of life. Information on managing cancer survivorship can be found on the ACS website.

For more insights and comprehensive statistics, refer to the Cancer Statistics 2026 report published on cancer.org.

With over 110 years of commitment to fighting cancer, the American Cancer Society continues its mission to ensure everyone has the opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.