The National Cancer Plan emphasizes everyone’s role in fighting cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) have all released annual reports on cancer trends since 1999. The cancer surveillance system continued to monitor national and geographic trends throughout the first year of the pandemic, despite limitations caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This system is supported by certified tumor registrars.
An annual report published in Cancer aimed to provide the most accurate US cancer incidence and mortality statistics by examining developments that occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Population-based cancer incidence data were collected from NAACCR’s Cancer in North America (CiNA) database using CDC and NCI registries. This covered 97% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico populations for 2017-2021 rates and 90% for 2001-2021 trends. Mortality data were obtained from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics’ National Vital Statistics System (2001–2022). The rates and trends were estimated by age, sex, and five race/ethnicity groups, including Hispanic or Latino (any race), Black, White, American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN), and Asian or Pacific Islander (API). All statistical analyses were performed using the joinpoint regression model (Joinpoint software, version 5.2.0) and the empirical quantile method.
The overall cancer incidence rate was found to be 461.3 cases per 100,000 people from 2017 to 2021. It was 14% higher in males (499.8) compared to females (436.6). These rates dropped by 1.6%-2.2% per year between 2001 and 2013, then remained stable. Female rates rose slightly by 0.3% yearly between 2003 and 2021. Overall cancer incidence rates were higher in males compared to females of all race/ethnicity groups except API populations.
Overall childhood cancer incidence rates declined by 0.8% per year in 2015, but this was observed only in White children. The incidence rates increased in males from 2017 to 2021 for six cancer types such as pancreas, myeloma, kidney and renal pelvis, oral cavity and pharynx, testis and prostate whereas in females for eight cancers like liver and intrahepatic bile duct, pancreas, corpus and uterus, stomach, oral cavity and pharynx, breast, myeloma, melanoma of the skin.
Overall, the cancer mortality rate was found to be 146/100,000 population from 2018 to 2022. It was 37% higher in males (173.2) compared to females (126.4). These rates declined by 1.3%-2.1% per year between 2001 and 2022, with a greater decline observed in males compared to females. These rates also decreased from 2018 to 2022 among all race/ethnicity groups. Childhood cancer death rates reduced by 1.5% per year between 2001 and 2022.
2020 cancer incidence rates were higher in the months of January and February and lowest in March, April, and May. In 2020, late-stage cancer diagnosis slightly increased for most sites and then declined in 2021. The proportion of late-stage cervical cancer diagnoses rose notably to 57.7% in 2021, whereas prostate cancer showed a small, statistically unstable increase (diagnosis from 24.3% to 24.4% during 2020-2021).
This report’s limitations include reliance on proxy measures for healthcare capacity, access, and social disruption, which lacked temporal and local information.
In conclusion, cancer incidence and mortality rates declined due to improved screening, prevention, and treatment. However, persistent racial and ethnic disparities remain. The drop in diagnoses observed in 2020 didn’t extend into 2021, but more data were required to assess long-term impacts.
Reference: Sherman RL, Firth AU, Henley SJ, et al. Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, featuring state-level statistics after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer. 2025; e35833. doi:10.1002/cncr.35833
