The American Cancer Society (ACS), working in collaboration with the U.S. National Cancer Institute, has published its first report surveying cancer survivorship in the U.S., estimating that 13.7 million cancer patients have survived their disease.
The report projects that the number of cancer survivors will grow to almost 18 million individuals by 2022. The societies attribute this projected increase to better treatment, an increasing percentage of older patients who are more susceptible to cancer, and an increase in the population in general in the U.S. Cancer incidence rates themselves are decreasing.
The three most common cancers among male survivors are prostate cancer (43%), colorectal cancer (9%), and melanoma (7%). Breast (41%), uterine (8%), and colorectal (8%) cancers predominate in female survivors.
Sixty-four percent of all current survivors were diagnosed and treated for cancer before 2007. Fifteen percent were diagnosed at least 20 years ago. The median age of patients at the time of cancer diagnosis was 66 years.
Nearly one half (45%) of cancer survivors are 70 years of age or older. Only 5% of cancer survivors are 40 years of age or younger. Childhood cancer survivors represent a small minority, at only 58,510 individuals. An estimated 12,060 children younger than 18 are expected to be diagnosed in 2012, and at least 80% are expected to be cured with treatment.
The growing number of cancer survivors in the U.S. makes it increasingly important to understand the medical and psychosocial needs of these patients. The reports were published to highlight the challenges and opportunities to serve survivors, according to senior author Elizabeth Ward, PhD, national vice president of Intramural Research.
In addition to prevalence estimates, the reports include information on treatment, survival, and common concerns of survivors for 11 selected cancers, as well as resources available from professional organizations.
