Cancer Facts and Statistics

Cancer Facts & Figures 2007

The 2007 edition of Cancer Facts & Figures provides the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths in 2007 as well as cancer incidence, mortality, and survival statistics and information on cancer symptoms, risk factors, early detection, and treatment. About 1,444,920 new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed in 2008, and in 2008 about 559,650 Americans were projected to die of cancer, more than 1,500 people a day.  (Please note: The projected numbers of new cancer cases and deaths in 2007 should not be compared with previous years to track cancer trends because they are model-based and vary from year to year for reasons other than changes in cancer occurrence. Age-standardized incidence and death rates should be used to measure cancer trends.)

The topic of this year's special section is cancer-related pain.

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Please Note: Change in Methodology for 2007

Beginning with Cancer Facts & Figures 2007, estimated new cancer cases in the current year were computed using a new, more accurate method developed by researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. Improvements in the new model include use of data from a much larger percentage of the US population, allowance for geographical variation in cancer incidence, adjustment for delays in reporting, and the inclusion of many socio-demographic, medical facility, lifestyle, and cancer screening behavior variables. Comparisons of estimates produced by the old and new methods were generally similar for all cancers combined but differ substantially for some sites.

2007 Method for Estimating Incidence

For more information regarding the new method for estimating incidence, see the following documents: