The American Cancer Society estimated 1.9 million new cases of cancer and 608,570 cancer deaths among Americans for 2021.
This article takes a closer look at the five deadliest cancers.
Estimated deaths caused by lung and bronchus cancer in 2021: 131,880
The disease is divided into two types—small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Depending on the type and stage, treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.
Estimated deaths caused by colon cancer in 2021: 52,980
The survival rate for people with early-stage colorectal cancer is around 90%. Five-year survival rates for advanced colorectal cancer are much lower.
A colonoscopy can detect and treat colon cancer in early stages. A colonoscopy uses a tiny camera on a thin, flexible tube to check for signs of cancer in your colon.
Small, early-stage cancers may be removed during a colonoscopy. Larger tumors usually call for surgery. Sometimes it is combined with chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy. These treatments shrink tumors and limit the spread.
Estimated deaths caused by female breast cancer in 2021: 43,600
Estimated cases of male breast cancer in 2021: 2,650
Estimated deaths caused by male breast cancer in 2021: 530
Breast cancer treatments vary. Surgery can be extensive (mastectomy) or breast-conserving (lumpectomy).
In addition to breast surgery, the disease can be treated with:
Radiation therapy, which uses protons or x-rays to kill cancer cellsChemotherapy, which uses medications to treat cancerHormone therapy, which slows or stops the growth of tumors that respond to specific hormones like estrogenBiological therapies, which use your own immune system to treat cancerTargeted therapies, which kill specific cancer cells or stop them from growing
Estimated deaths caused by pancreatic cancer in 2021: 48,220
Stomach painBlocked bile ducts, which are the tubes that carry digestive fluids out of the liverBleedingAscites, which is fluid buildup in your abdomen
There aren’t any reliable screening options for pancreatic cancer yet. People with higher risk should have regular ultrasound and MRI/CT imaging tests.
People with this type of cancer often need surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation can be used to shrink tumors when they can’t be removed, but not all doctors agree with this approach. Surgery to cure the cancer is only possible in 10% to 20% of cases.
Estimated deaths caused by prostate cancer in 2021: 34,130
Prostate cancer starts in a gland, so it is considered an adenocarcinoma. It usually affects older men and is more common among Black men and those with a family history of the disease.
Most prostate cancers grow slowly. People with this type of cancer may not have symptoms right away. For this reason, doctors may take a wait-and-watch approach to treatment. In fact, many people with prostate cancer die of unrelated causes, like a heart attack or stroke.
Treatment of prostate cancer includes:
Prostatectomy, which involves surgical removal of part or all of the gland External beam radiation therapy Brachytherapy
In brachytherapy, radioactive iodine is implanted into the prostate to treat cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends these five steps to lower your cancer risk:
Get recommended screenings. This includes tests for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider about prostate screening. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Obesity and overweight increase the risk of breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer. Being active is important no matter your weight or age. Eat a healthy diet. Limit red meats, processed meats, refined grains, and sweets. A healthy diet may help reduce the risk of colon, esophageal, stomach, and lung cancer. Limit alcohol. Alcohol is linked to breast, colorectal, esophageal, oral, and liver cancer. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women should have no more than one drink per day. Quit smoking. Nearly one in three cancers are linked to smoking, including 80% of all lung cancer cases. If you smoke, speak with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. Some aids are fully covered by insurance.
Summary
Lung, colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers are the five deadliest cancers in the United States. Early diagnosis makes it much more likely that you’ll survive.
You can’t do much about some risk factors for cancer, such as family history and genetics. But if you stop smoking, limit alcohol, stay active, eat a healthy diet, and get regular cancer screenings, you’ll greatly improve your odds.
