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The number of people living with a history of cancer in the United States is estimated at 18.6 million as of Jan. 1, 2025, according to a report on Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Statistics from the American Cancer Society (ACS).
This number is projected to exceed 22 million by 2035, according to the report.
Let’s dive deeper into this report and what it says about cancer survivorship.
Survivorship Stats
The ACS report highlights that the 3 most prevalent cancers among males are prostate (3,552,460) melanoma of the skin (816,580), and colorectal (729,550)
For women, breast (4,305,570), uterine corpus (945,540), and thyroid (859,890) were the 3 most prevalent.
“The number of female breast cancer survivors is projected to reach 5.3 million by January 1, 2035 – an increase of one million women from 2025, marking the largest projected growth among the top 10 most prevalent cancers,” according to the report.
While about one half of survivors were diagnosed within the past 10 years, nearly 4 out of 5 (79%) survivors were aged 60 and older.
“These findings demonstrate that early detection and improved treatment are making a real difference in the fight against cancer,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
The number of survivors also vary by state, largely reflecting the variation in population size including:
- 2 million in California
- 32,000 in Wyoming
- 29,000 in the District of Columbia
Lacasse also emphasized the urgent need to protect and expand access to care.
“We cannot afford to turn back the clock now. ACS CAN will continue to work with lawmakers to stress that cuts have consequences and will only slow our work to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” Lacasse said.
Challenges in Cancer Survivorship
As the population of cancer survivors in the United States grows, challenges persist.
The report noted that uninsured people diagnosed with stage I colorectal cancer have lower 5-year survival than privately insured people with stage II disease.
Additionally, Black people with early-stage lung and rectal cancer had a lower percentage of receiving surgery, compared to other populations.
For Latinos, the population is less likely to be diagnosed with the most common cancers like lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate. But they are more likely to develop cancer in the liver, stomach, and cervix.
“Behind every survivor of cancer, there is a story of resilience, but also of unmet needs,” said Dr. Nikita Sandeep Wagle, principal scientist, cancer surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report.
Enroll in a Cancer Clinical Trial
Following healthy dietary and lifestyle patterns can impact cancer risk.
To fight cancer on a broader level, clinical trials are another important action.
Enrolling in a clinical trial, which are studies that help researchers learn more to help slow, manage, and treat diseases such as cancer for the benefit of current and future family members, can help treat the disease or ease the side effects of treatment so that survivors can have a better quality of life.
Look to Salud America!’s clinical trial page to find a research opportunity or learn from role models who have participated in a trial.
Those looking for opportunities based in San Antonio can search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.
On a national level, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.
Learn more about CLINICAL TRIALs!
Survivor-Based Research Opportunities in South Texas
There are also research opportunities that focus specifically on the survivorship journey.
The Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship study, which is based at UT Health San Antonio, is examining the behavioral, mental, biological, and other influences on life after cancer.
The study, led by Dr. Amelie Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio and Mays Cancer Center, is looking for Latino survivors aged 18 or older living in South Texas who have completed primary treatment for breast, colon, kidney, liver, lung, prostate, stomach or cervical cancer.
Volunteers will participate in seven study visits over five years, each with assessment interviews and some with blood draws.
The Avanzando Caminos study team is looking to recruit 1,500 Latino survivors in South
To volunteer for Avanzando Caminos or ask questions, contact a member of the study team at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio at 210-562-6514 or caminos@uthscsa.edu.
Volunteers are eligible for $50 per visit!
Those who are interested in finding out more information about the study can visit the study’s website in (English) or (Spanish). There they will find a short online survey they can fill out and a member of the study team will be in touch with them soon!
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
