Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Chat live online
Select the Live Chat button at the bottom of the page
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
- Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
- Donations, website, or event-related assistance
- Tobacco-related topics
- Volunteer opportunities
- Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
- Can Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Be Found Early?
- Signs and Symptoms of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- Tests for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome Prognostic Scores
- Survival Statistics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- If You Have Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Key Statistics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
The number of people diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the United States each year is not known for sure. Some estimates have put this number at about 10,000, while other estimates have been much higher.
MDS is uncommon before age 50, and the risk increases as a person gets older. It is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 70s. The number of new cases diagnosed each year is likely increasing as the average age of the US population increases.
Statistics related to survival among people with MDS are discussed in Survival Statistics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes.
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Aster JC, Stone RM. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and classification of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). UpToDate. 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-diagnosis-and-classification-of-myelodysplastic-syndromes-mds on June 27, 2024.
National Cancer Institute. Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version. 2022. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/hp/myelodysplastic-treatment-pdq on June 27, 2024.
SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute; 2024 Apr 17. [updated: 2024 Jun 27; cited 2024 Jun 27]. Accessed at https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/ on June 27, 2024.
Steensma DP, Stone RM. Chapter 96: Myelodysplastic syndromes. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2020.
Last Revised: November 21, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
American Cancer Society Emails
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.