Chicago – April 19, 2025
A study released Thursday reveals a complex and fast-changing landscape in cancer trends. While the American Cancer Society’s annual report highlights a significant drop in cancer deaths—a 34% decline between 1991 and 2022—there’s growing concern over a rising number of cancer diagnoses, particularly among young and middle-aged women, for reasons that remain unclear.
Advancements in cancer detection and treatment have significantly improved survival rates over the past few decades. However, these improvements are being challenged by a surge in early-onset cancers in people under 65, a group traditionally considered at lower risk. The American Cancer Society estimates over 2 million new cancer cases and more than 600,000 cancer-related deaths in 2025.
Women, in particular, are experiencing notable increases. In 2021, cancer rates among women under 50 were 82% higher than those in men of the same age—up from a 51% difference in 2002. Women aged 50 to 64 are also seeing higher cancer rates than men in the same age group. Breast cancer is a major contributor, especially in younger women, with incidence rising by 1.4% annually since the mid-2000s, compared to a 0.7% yearly increase in older women.
Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society, acknowledged the positive news of declining death rates thanks to reduced smoking, better treatments, and early detection. Still, she noted that the rise in cases among younger and middle-aged women—many of whom are primary caregivers—marks a concerning shift in cancer burden from men to women.
Among men, cancer trends are mixed. Lung cancer rates have fallen significantly across all age groups since 1975, but prostate cancer has been increasing, particularly since 2014.
The study also highlights racial disparities in healthcare and cancer prevention. Black and Native American communities face cancer death rates two to three times higher than white populations. Cervical cancer, which is generally treatable when caught early through screenings like Pap smears, continues to claim more lives in these underserved groups.
