US Cancer Survivors Reach 18.6 Million and Projected to Surpass 22 Million by 2035

As of January 1, 2025, approximately 18.6 million individuals in the United States are living with a history of cancer, according to the latest report titled "Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Statistics, 2025" by the American Cancer Society (ACS). This figure is expected to grow substantially, with projections indicating that the number of cancer survivors will exceed 22 million by the year 2035. The study highlights disparities in treatment access and outcomes among various cancer types and demographic groups.

The most common cancers among men include prostate (over 3.5 million cases), melanoma (over 800,000 cases), and colorectal cancer (around 730,000 cases). Among women, breast cancer (approximately 4.3 million cases), uterine corpus, and thyroid cancers are prevalent. Notably, over half of the survivors diagnosed within the past decade, and nearly 80% are aged 60 and older.

Survivor distribution varies by state, with California reporting nearly two million survivors and smaller states like Wyoming and the District of Columbia having significantly fewer, largely due to population differences. The number of female breast cancer survivors is projected to reach about 5.3 million by 2035, showing the largest growth among common cancers.

The report also reveals racial disparities in treatment. Black patients are less likely to receive surgery for early-stage lung and rectal cancers compared to white patients, highlighting ongoing equity issues. Uninsured individuals diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer tend to have lower five-year survival rates than those with private insurance.

Experts emphasize the importance of equitable access to high-quality care and early detection programs. Dr. Nikita Sandeep Wagle from the ACS underscores that many survivors face long-term effects from treatment, financial challenges, and fear of recurrence. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving survivorship quality.

The findings are based on comprehensive data from several national sources, including cancer registries, insurance records, and population surveys. As advances in treatment continue, the number of survivors is expected to rise, necessitating ongoing efforts to reduce disparities and support survivorship needs.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-cancer-survivors-million-exceed.html