Cancer Trends in 2025: Progress and Persistent Concerns

The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual cancer trends report for 2025 paints a complex picture, revealing significant progress in reducing cancer death rates alongside alarming increases in new diagnoses for specific populations. While advancements in early detection, smoking cessation, and treatment modalities have contributed to a substantial 34% drop in cancer death rates between 1991 and 2022, experts express concerns about the rising prevalence of certain cancers, particularly among younger individuals, and persistent disparities in outcomes across different racial and ethnic groups.

Declining Death Rates, Rising Diagnoses: A Mixed Bag

The headline news from the report focuses on the encouraging decline in overall cancer mortality. This positive trend is a testament to decades of research, public health initiatives, and medical innovation. However, buried beneath the surface of this achievement lie troubling statistics that demand attention. Dr. Joshua Strauss, a hematologist and oncologist at Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates of the Atlantic Medical Group, emphasizes that certain areas remain "of significant concern."

Cancer in Young People: A Growing Crisis

One of the most alarming trends highlighted in the report is the increasing incidence of cancer among younger individuals, including adolescents. Cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death for children and adolescents, with leukemia, brain cancer, and lymphoma being the most prevalent types. The ACS estimates that in 2025, nearly 10,000 children under the age of 15 and over 5,000 adolescents between 15 and 19 will be diagnosed with cancer. Tragically, over 1,000 children and 600 adolescents are projected to succumb to the disease in the same year.

Dr. Paul Oberstein, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, further underscores the rising rates of cancer deaths in people under 50, spanning multiple cancer types. He identifies young women with breast cancer as a particularly concerning group.

Experts grapple with potential explanations for this surge in young-onset cancers. Diet, exposure to microplastics, and other environmental triggers are among the hypotheses being investigated. However, Dr. Oberstein stresses the lack of definitive answers and the urgent need for research to uncover the underlying causes and develop effective prevention strategies.

Cervical Cancer: A Preventable Tragedy

Cervical cancer stands out as a largely preventable disease, yet thousands of women continue to be diagnosed and die from it each year. While incidence rates declined significantly from the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s due to widespread screening programs, these gains have plateaued.

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an obstetrician gynecologist, projects that 13,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2025, and 4,000 will die from it. She notes a concerning increase in cervical cancer diagnoses among women aged 30 to 44.

Dr. Shepherd emphasizes that cervical cancer can be eradicated or eliminated through widespread screening and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common cause of the disease. She laments that despite the availability of effective screening technologies, cervical cancer rates remain unacceptably high, highlighting the need for improved access to care and public education.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities: A Persistent Injustice

The ACS report confirms that significant racial and ethnic disparities persist in cancer outcomes. Native Americans and Black people continue to experience higher cancer death rates than White people across various cancer types.

In the case of cervical cancer, the death rate for Black women and Native American women is 50% and 70% higher, respectively, than for White women. The five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is also lower for Black women compared to White women.

Dr. Shepherd attributes these disparities to a lack of access to doctors and regular screenings. She advocates for increased research, awareness campaigns, and public education initiatives to address these inequities and ensure that all women have access to life-saving screening and treatment.

Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Deadly Threat

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including pancreatic, liver, colorectal, and stomach cancers, are recognized as highly lethal. The ACS report reveals a concerning increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses among men and women under the age of 65.

Between 2012 and 2021, colorectal cancer incidence rates rose by 2.4% per year in people younger than 50 and by 0.4% per year in adults aged 50 to 64. Progress against pancreatic cancer is also lagging, with incidence and mortality rates increasing by 1% each year in both men and women.

The ACS estimates that in 2025, nearly 70,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., and over 50,000 people will die from the disease. The five-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains a dismal 13%.

Dr. Oberstein, a GI specialist, acknowledges that these cancers often have poor outcomes, although advancements in early detection and treatment have led to some improvements. He stresses the importance of detecting stomach, liver, and especially pancreatic cancer earlier to significantly improve patient outcomes.

The Path Forward: Early Detection, Research, and Equity

The 2025 ACS cancer trends report underscores the need for a multi-pronged approach to combatting cancer. While progress in reducing overall death rates is encouraging, the rising incidence of certain cancers, particularly in younger individuals, and the persistence of racial and ethnic disparities demand urgent action.

Key priorities include:

• Investing in research: Uncovering the underlying causes of young-onset cancers and developing targeted prevention strategies.
• Improving early detection: Expanding access to screening programs for cervical, colorectal, and other cancers, with a focus on reaching underserved populations.
• Addressing health disparities: Implementing policies and programs to eliminate barriers to care and ensure equitable access to screening, treatment, and supportive services for all.
• Promoting public education: Raising awareness about cancer risk factors, the importance of early detection, and the availability of effective prevention and treatment options.

By focusing on these key areas, we can build on the progress made in recent decades and work towards a future where cancer is a less daunting and more manageable disease for all.