• A recent report reveals a concerning rise in cancer cases among women and younger adults in the United States.
• Notably, cancer rates in women aged 50 to 64 have overtaken those in men for the first time, as highlighted in the report.
• While the reasons behind these trends remain unclear, experts point to factors such as sedentary lifestyles, excessive alcohol intake, and diets high in ultra-processed foods.

According to a report released on January 16 by the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer death rates in the United States have decreased by 34% between 1991 and 2022.

The Cancer Statistics, 2025 report attributes this decline largely to reductions in the four most prevalent cancer types: lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.

However, the incidence of new cancer cases has increased for numerous types of cancer during the same period, particularly among women and younger age groups.

For instance, the report found that cancer incidence among women aged 50 to 64 has now exceeded that of men for the first time. Additionally, the cancer rate for women under 50 is currently 82% higher than that of men, up from 51% in 2002.

Furthermore, among individuals under 65, lung cancer incidence is higher in females compared to males, a trend attributed to differences in smoking initiation and cessation patterns.

The report also noted a troubling rise in both incidence and mortality rates for pancreatic cancer in both genders. The five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with pancreatic exocrine tumors is a mere 8%, and this type accounts for 90% of pancreatic cancer cases.

“Pancreatic cancer is challenging to diagnose early, as there is no screening test available like there is for colon cancer,” explained Dr. Nilesh Vora, a hematologist and medical oncologist at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute in Long Beach, CA, who did not participate in the report.

“The advancements in treatment for pancreatic cancer have not kept pace with those seen in other cancers, such as lung cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer,” Vora told Healthline.

The report estimates that there will be 2,041,910 new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. in 2025, with an expected 618,120 cancer-related deaths.

Despite the anticipated high number of new cancer cases this year, the cancer death rate has decreased by 34% from 1991 to 2022, leading to nearly 4.5 million cancer cases being averted, according to the report.

“For those diagnosed with cancer, the mortality rate continues to decline significantly,” stated Dr. Kathleen K. Harnden, medical director of breast oncology at Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, VA, who was not involved in the latest report.

“Men and women facing a challenging cancer diagnosis should recognize that the future is promising, and they have a greater chance of being cured and cancer-free after treatment,” she shared with Healthline.

“Our treatment protocols and diagnostic methods have improved, leading to an increased detection of cancer cases,” Vora remarked. “Additionally, people are living significantly longer compared to three decades ago, which has contributed to the reduction in mortality rates. This suggests that more individuals are living with cancer than before,” he added.

Harnden highlighted the role of comprehensive multi-disciplinary care — where patients benefit from coordinated treatment among surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists — in enhancing cancer survival rates in the U.S.

“This approach accelerates patient care,” she explained. “All physicians collaborate, review the same data, and devise a multi-faceted strategy for each patient’s cancer care.”

It remains uncertain why there is a growing cancer burden among women and younger individuals, but experts have suggested several potential contributing factors.

“We have discussed the impact of reduced physical activity and rising obesity rates, as well as dietary changes,” Vora noted. “While we cannot draw definitive conclusions, these areas warrant further exploration.”

Harnden pointed out that “as people become more sedentary, often due to screen time and desk jobs that limit movement, their cancer risk may increase.”

“Emerging evidence also suggests that dietary changes play a role,” she added. “An increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods may elevate cancer risk, while a decrease in vegetable intake can also contribute to this risk.”

“I am particularly concerned about the rising obesity rates, especially among women,” Harnden emphasized. “As obesity levels rise, the corresponding risk of breast cancer also increases with each additional five pounds.”

Increased alcohol consumption has been linked to various cancers, including oral cavity, breast, and liver cancers, all of which showed rising incidence rates in the report.

The report also underscored significant disparities in cancer death rates. For instance, Native American individuals have kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancer death rates two to three times higher than those of white individuals.

Moreover, Black individuals are twice as likely to succumb to prostate, stomach, and uterine corpus cancers compared to their white counterparts. They are also 50% more likely to die from cervical cancer, which is preventable through the HPV vaccine.

“The inequalities in cancer care are always striking to witness,” Harnden acknowledged.