Estimated US Cancer Prevalence Counts: Who Are Our Cancer Survivors in the U.S.?

Estimated United States Cancer Prevalence¹

Cancer prevalence is the number of people alive today who have been diagnosed with cancer. MORE
(All figures are for the United States)

In This Section:

• Definitions
• Method
• Prevalence by:
  • Estimated Number of Cancer Survivors Over Time
  • Current Age
  • Cancer Site
  • Time Since Diagnosis
• Statistical Resources

Fast Facts

• As of January 2008, it is estimated that there are 11.9 million cancer survivors. This represents approximately 4% of the population.



• 60% of survivors are currently 65 years of age and older.



• Among today’s survivors, the most common cancer sites represented include female breast (22%), prostate (20%), colorectal (9%) and gynecologic (8%).



• Today, 67% of adults diagnosed with cancer will be alive in five years. Among children, over 75% of childhood cancer survivors will be alive after 10 years.



• Approximately 15% of the 11.9 million estimated cancer survivors were diagnosed 20 or more years ago.



• View Additional Resources:
  
  SEER Cancer Statistics Review 1975-2008
  
  Cancer Query System: Cancer Prevalence Database
  
  Cancer Prevalence References

¹Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Neyman N, Aminou R, Waldron W, Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Cho H, Mariotto A, Eisner MP, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA, Edwards BK (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2008, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2008/, based on November 2010 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, 2011.