Statistics and Graphs

Individuals are considered survivors from the time of a cancer diagnosis through the rest of their life. On this page, find key survivorship-related statistics and graphs.

For additional cancer-related statistics, please visit NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.

Statistics
Graphs

A group of people with text saying “18.1 million cancer survivors.

As of January 2022, it is estimated that there are 18.1 million cancer survivors in the United States. This represents approximately 5.4% of the population. ¹

Graph showing a projected increase of 11 million cancer survivors to 26 million between 2016 and 2040.

The number of cancer survivors in the United States is projected to grow to 26.0 million by 2040.¹

Fireworks with text 19.2 million cancer survivors have lived 5+ years since diagnosis

From 2022 to 2040, the number of people in the United States who have lived 5 or more years after their cancer diagnosis is projected to increase approximately 53%, to 19.2 million.¹

Man in activewear running up steps with text 78 percent of survivors have lived 5+ years since diagnosis

In 2022, 70% of survivors in the United States have lived 5+ years since their diagnosis.¹

A man and woman walking a dog on an outdoor path with text 48 percent of survivors have lived 10+ years since diagnosis

In 2022, 48% of survivors in the United States have lived 10+ years since their diagnosis.¹

Two women in activewear in a one-armed embrace smiling at each other with text 19 percent of survivors have lived 20+ years since diagnosis

In 2022, 19% of survivors in the United States have lived 20+ years since their diagnosis.¹

A group of five older adults in activewear smiling and laughing with text 78 percent of survivors are 60 or older.

Over 78% of cancer survivors currently living in the United States are age 60 or older.¹

A couple of people walking in the woods with the text: 623,405 people living with metastatic cancers

There are 623,405 people living with metastatic breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, or bladder cancer or metastatic melanoma in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 693,452 by the year 2025.²

Five women of diverse ages wearing pink and standing in a line with text Female breast cancer 23 percent or 4.1 million.

Among today's survivors, the most common cancer types represented include female breast (22%, 4.1 million), prostate (20%, 3.5 million), colorectal (8%, 1.4 million), and melanoma (8%, 1.5 million).* ¹

A group of different aged men with text prostate cancer 20% or 3.5 million

Among today’s survivors, the most common cancer types represented include female breast (22%, 4.1 million), prostate (20%, 3.5 million), melanoma (8%, 1.5 million), and colorectal (8%, 1.4 million).* ¹

A family gardening outside with the text melanoma 8% or 1.5 million

A man and woman walking a dog on a grassy hill while holding hands with text Colorectal cancer 9 percent or 1.4 million.

* Note: People may be represented more than once in these percentages if they have been diagnosed with more than one cancer. For example, a man who has survived both colorectal cancer and prostate cancer will be included as both a colorectal cancer survivor and as a prostate cancer survivor. Therefore, the sum of the percentages may be more than 100%.

Footnotes

¹Tonorezos E, Devasia T, Mariotto AB, Mollica MA, Gallicchio L, Green P, Doose M, Brick R, Streck B, Reed C, de Moor JS, Prevalence of Cancer Survivors in the United States, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2024; https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djae135

²Gallicchio L, Devasia TP, Tonorezos E, Mollica MA, Mariotto A. Estimation of the Number of Individuals Living With Metastatic Cancer in the United States, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djac158