Cancer Five-Year Survival Rate Hits Record 70%, 2026 Report Shows

The five-year survival rate for all cancers combined is at an all time high of 70%, largely due to advances in the treatment of numerous high-mortality and advanced cancers over recent years, including lung cancer, according to the 2026 American Cancer Society Cancer Statistics, an annual report that the organization shares on cancer facts and trends. The report emphasized that cancer mortality continues to decline in the United States, with 4.8 million deaths avoided since 1991 due to the evolution of cancer treatment, as well as reductions in smoking and earlier detection of some cancers.

Importantly, since the mid-1990’s, the five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with lung cancer at an advanced stage has increased from 20% to 37% for regional-stage disease and from 2% to 10% for distant-stage disease, the research cited. However, in 2026, it is still expected that lung cancer will cause the most cancer deaths among patients, more than the second– and third-ranking cancers (colorectal and pancreatic) combined.

Despite the life-saving advancements that have been made within the space, impending federal cuts to health insurance and cancer research are expected to limit access to life-saving cancer therapies and halt research as incidence rates continue to increase among many common cancers.

“When we look at people who are surviving with cancer for at least five years, that number has doubled since the 1990s,” Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society, explained during a press conference hosted by the organization. “This [progress] is really transformational. We are seeing [these gains] in myeloma, melanoma, liver cancer, and even lung cancer. Today, seven in 10 people diagnosed with cancer can expect to live at least five years, and this has a meaningful impact.”

Persistent Cancer Disparities Across Patient Populations

In the U.S., cancer is the overall second-leading cause of death and the leading cause among people younger than 85 years-old. Despite the decline of cancer mortality that has been seen over several decades, threats to this progress include higher incidence among common cancers, ongoing socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic disparities, and a potential increase in advanced-stage diagnoses after pandemic-related delays in detection.

Notably, pandemic-related disruptions in colorectal cancer screening and care are projected to contribute to approximately 4,000 to 7,000 deaths by 2040; however, colorectal cancer screening has shown a notable rebound, which may help offset some of this impact. At the same time, evolving screening patterns have renewed attention on how colorectal cancer incidence is changing across age groups, particularly among younger adults.

“There has been a lot of discussion around the incidence of colorectal cancer in younger people. We are seeing continued increases among those under 50, but the overall increase in [cases] is slowing over time. Now that screening has increased among individuals aged 45 to 49… we are identifying [cancers] in these groups earlier. We [believe] much of this is driven by environmental or lifestyle changes,” Dahut emphasized.

Importantly, post-pandemic cancer screening rates have been slower in communities of color, which may further exacerbate disparities in survival and mortality, according to the research.

“We continue to see disparities, and the population with the highest cancer mortality is American Indian and Alaska Native individuals. The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in younger American Indian and Alaska Native populations are particularly striking; rates are the highest in the world, with very early-onset colorectal cancer being common in this population,” Dahut explained.

A key takeaway from this research is that the highest cancer mortality rates are seen in Native American’s who are twice as likely as White Americans to die from their kidney, liver, stomach, or uterine cervix cancer, according to a news release from The American Cancer Society, which detailed the report. 

Dahut emphasized that other groups are greatly affected by these disparities in cancer care, saying, “We are seeing that Black women have much higher cancer mortality than White women, despite being less likely to be diagnosed with cancer. This is driven by more advanced disease at diagnosis and increases in both incidence and mortality of endometrial cancer among Black women. Black men have a greater likelihood of developing prostate cancer (approximately 1.7 times higher) and are twice as likely to die from the disease, a disparity that needs urgent attention.”

Lack of access to cancer screening, diagnostics and timely treatment represents another disparity in cancer care. Individuals in underserved communities often face barriers such as limited healthcare facilities, transportation challenges, and financial constraints, which can delay detection and worsen outcomes.

“In the U.S., we are [one of] the only high-income country without [universal] health insurance coverage. Disparities in access to care are striking when examined by geographic area, socioeconomic status, and other factors. For example, among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, uninsured rates approach 22% to 23%... Among [Black patients], it is around 15% to 17%. Without insurance, individuals lack access to care and are largely on their own. Insurance is critical for early detection, treatment, and preventive measures, and it influences cancer outcomes across the entire continuum,” Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of Surveillance, Prevention and Health at The American Cancer Society, explained.

The Growing Population of Cancer Survivors

As a result of improved cancer detection, treatment, and access to care, these new five-year cancer survival rates mean patients are either living longer with their cancers or are in remission. Because of this, over the next decade, the number of cancer survivors is expected to increase by approximately 300,000 to 500,000 each year, leading to an new record of cancer survivors.

“These survivorship stories are really a reflection of important updates in treatment. Many of these treatments are relatively new, so their long-term side effects or implications on general health are still not fully understood. This makes research important as we move forward to understand what the long-term side effects can be physically, as well as emotionally, relationally, logistically and, importantly, financially,” Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer of The American Cancer Society, explained during the press conference.

Similarly, Dahut emphasized this sentiment, emphasizing that the number of cancer survivors is growing rapidly. In turn, many of these survivors will face long-term challenges that were previously uncommon when patients with cancer did not live as long. These include ongoing treatment, financial strain, social difficulties, and sexual health concerns. With approximately 18 million survivors, and nearly 9.5 million diagnosed in the past six months alone, this population is experiencing significant effects of survivorship, he explained. Continued survival is encouraging, though it also emphasizes the gap in care that remains, as there is a critical need for better support and resources to address these issues.

“We know from data that a cancer diagnosis is a leading risk factor for personal bankruptcy; between 30% and 40% of patients can use up their entire life savings throughout the course of their cancer journey. Because of these advancements, we see these people going through a marathon in which these toxicities accumulate over time. These ongoing effects that we are familiar with, which are physical and emotional, can now bleed over into things that are financial, relational, and logistical,” Kamal continued.

For example, now that approximately 90% of patients with childhood leukemia will be cured, survivors face a threefold higher risk of mortality, often linked to cardiovascular disease or secondary cancers caused by the toxic therapies required for treatment, experts explained during the event.

Supporting Cancer Caregivers Is Critical

As the landscape of cancer care evolves and more people are surviving their cancers, the focus extends beyond patients themselves to the people who care for them. Caregiving has increasingly become a long-term commitment, requiring sustained emotional resilience and support over time.

“What this means is that caregiving has become a marathon, just as it has been for patients,” according to Kamal. “It means we must think about people who are, will be, or know of others in caregiving duties. That longitudinal support is so incredibly important because we know that people with cancer who have caregivers survive longer than those who don’t. That means that supporting caregivers so they remain resilient and available during that marathon is just as important as anything else.”

As the number of cancer survivors continues to grow, the challenges of survivorship and caregiving are becoming increasingly visible. Addressing long-term physical, emotional, financial, and social impacts is now as important as the treatments that save lives.

During the event, Kamal emphasized this by saying: “The overall goal is to embrace the idea that in our future there are more and better days, which is what this survivorship data you see is showing. It demonstrates significant progress in research and cancer care.”

“Overall, we should be excited by the incredible improvement in outcomes, but I think we have to focus more and more on the impact of those survivors,” Dahut concluded.

References

1. “Cancer statistics, 2026,” by Dr. Rebecca L. Siegel, Tyler B. Kratzer, Dr. Nikita Sandeep Wagle, et al. Jan. 13, 2025. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
2. “ACS Annual Statistics Report: Milestone 70 Percent 5-Year Survival Rate for all Cancers Combined; Largest Gains for Advanced and Fatal Cancers,” by The American Cancer Society. Jan. 13, 2026. Press release.
3. "American Cancer Society Cancer Statistics, 2026 Media Event," by The American Cancer Society. Jan. 12, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0OEkcpqgc

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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