Report: 70% of US cancer patients now survive five years or more after diagnosis

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published January 18, 2026

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The American Cancer Society says the five-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined in the United States has reached 70% for the first time, for people diagnosed in 2015-2021, up from about 49% in the mid-1970s, reflecting long-term gains in early detection and treatment.

The ACS highlighted especially strong progress in historically more lethal cancers, reporting five-year survival gains for myeloma (32% to 62%), liver cancer (7% to 22%), and lung cancer (15% to 28%).

Despite the improvements, cancer remains a leading cause of death. The society projects about 2,114,850 new cancer diagnoses and 626,140 deaths in the U.S. in 2026, while noting that the overall cancer mortality rate has fallen 34% since its 1991 peak.

Cancer Facts & Figures 2026 also points to persistent disparities in outcomes, reporting five-year survival of 71% among White people and 66% among Black people.

Globally, the World Health Organization projects more than 35 million new cancer cases per year by 2050, up from an estimated 20 million cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022.

WHO says prevention remains central, estimating that 30% to 50% of cancers can be prevented through risk-factor reduction and evidence-based prevention strategies, alongside early detection and appropriate care.