Every year, the American Cancer Society releases critical updates on the state of cancer through its Cancer Facts and Figures report. These reports are a vital source for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public to understand the current trends in cancer diagnosis, treatment, survival rates, and prevention strategies. The Cancer Facts and Figures 2025 report, just released, provides updated projections and important insights compared to the 2024 Cancer Facts and Figures report. At Bangkok Health Service, staying informed about the latest developments helps us offer better guidance and support to those seeking care in Thailand and beyond. In this article, we will explore the major findings from the 2025 report, compare them with the 2024 data, and highlight the key trends shaping the future of cancer care.
Cancer Cases and Deaths: 2025 vs. 2024
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025:
- New cancer cases: 2,038,300 (an increase from 2,001,140 in 2024).
- Cancer deaths: 611,190 (down from 611,720 in 2024).
Key insight: While the number of people diagnosed with cancer continues to rise due to an aging and growing population, there is encouraging news in that overall cancer mortality is decreasing, thanks to advancements in early detection, better treatments, and lifestyle changes. This marks an important shift, especially when compared to the projections made in the 2024 Cancer Facts and Figures report.
Most Common Cancers in 2025
According to the Cancer Facts and Figures 2025:
| Rank | Cancer Type | Estimated New Cases (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breast Cancer (Female) | 313,510 |
| 2 | Prostate Cancer | 300,140 |
| 3 | Lung and Bronchus Cancer | 234,580 |
| 4 | Colorectal Cancer | 152,810 |
| 5 | Melanoma of the Skin | 100,640 |
Changes from 2024:
- Prostate cancer cases have increased significantly from about 288,300 in 2024.
- Colorectal cancer continues to see a worrying rise among younger adults (under 55 years old).
- Melanoma rates have slightly decreased, reflecting positive effects from prevention and public awareness campaigns.
Trends in Cancer Incidence: New Developments
The 2025 report emphasizes some concerning and some hopeful trends:
1. Rise in Advanced Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer incidence rates have surged again, particularly for advanced-stage diagnoses. The reasons are complex but may relate to reduced early screening following past debates about PSA testing guidelines.
2. Increase in Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer rates among adults under 55 have doubled since the 1990s, now making up about 20% of new diagnoses. Awareness campaigns and early screening remain crucial.
3. Lung Cancer Improvements
Thanks to a combination of decreasing smoking rates and improved screening technologies such as low-dose CT scans, lung cancer incidence and mortality rates continue to decline, particularly among men.
Cancer Survival Rates Are Improving
The five-year survival rates for many cancers have shown improvement:
- Breast cancer: 91% (up from 90% in 2024)
- Prostate cancer: 98% (steady from 2024)
- Lung cancer: 26% (up from 25% in 2024)
- Colorectal cancer: 65% (steady but lower among young patients with advanced disease)
Key factors contributing to better survival:
- Earlier diagnoses
- Targeted therapies
- Personalized medicine
- Better access to high-quality treatment
Preventable Cancers and Lifestyle Factors
As in previous years, the 2025 Cancer Facts and Figures report highlights that over 40% of cancers can be attributed to modifiable risk factors:
- Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths.
- Obesity-related cancers are rising, now accounting for 8% of all cancer cases.
- Alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and poor diet continue to play major roles in cancer risk.
Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and staying physically active can dramatically reduce cancer risk.
Cancer Disparities and Equity Challenges
Another critical focus area in the 2025 report is the continued cancer disparities seen across different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups:
- Black Americans still have the highest cancer death rates.
- People in rural areas and lower-income communities experience higher mortality rates for cancers that are often preventable or treatable if detected early.
Efforts to close these gaps include:
- Increasing access to affordable screenings
- Expanding public health programs
- Promoting insurance coverage for early detection and prevention services
Comparison Summary: 2025 vs. 2024
| Category | 2024 Report | 2025 Report | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated new cancer cases | 2,001,140 | 2,038,300 | 📈 Increase |
| Estimated cancer deaths | 611,720 | 611,190 | 📉 Decrease |
| Breast cancer survival rate | 90% | 91% | 📈 Improvement |
| Lung cancer survival rate | 25% | 26% | 📈 Improvement |
| Prostate cancer cases | ~288,300 | 300,140 | 📈 Significant rise |
| Young-onset colorectal cancer | Rising | Rising faster | ⚠️ Concerning trend |
Conclusion: Why Staying Informed Matters
The Cancer Facts and Figures 2025 report offers a mixture of hopeful progress and new challenges. The increase in cancer survival rates reflects how far medical science has come, while the continuing rise in cases among young adults and underserved populations shows there is still much work to do. At Bangkok Health Service, we are committed to empowering individuals with the latest, evidence-based knowledge to support cancer prevention, early detection, and access to world-class care through medical tourism in Thailand.
Read more about cancer report here:
Understanding Cancer: Insights from the 2024 Cancer Facts and Figures Report
Read more about cancer:
The Importance of Early Health Checks for Families with a History of Colorectal Cancer
New Blood Test Shows Promise in Detecting Colorectal Cancer
Get a cancer screening with Bangkok Health Service:
Bangkok Cancer Screening Basic 2 Nights 3 Star Package
Bangkok Cancer Screening Advanced 2 Nights 3 Star Package
Bangkok Cancer Screening Early Detection 2 Nights 3 Star Package
Cancer Screening Packages in Bangkok | Early Detection & Affordable Tests
