Common Cancer Types in the United States, Cancer incidence rates vary among different countries in the world. Diet and other environmental factors can greatly influence cancer development. These environmental variables vary from country to country, thus the difference in the incidence of certain cancers.
For example, stomach cancer may be common in Japan, but is considered rare in the Unites States. The types of cancer that are common for one country may not be the same for another.
In the U.S., a type of cancer has to have at least 40,000 reported cases to be considered a common type of cancer. This figure often changes from year to year. For example, in 2005, the annual incidence had to be at least 25,000, but in 2010, it was 40,000. These statistics are compiled by the American Cancer Society, who releases an annual report about cancer incidence and morbidity. See the ACS Cancer Facts and Figures 2010.
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Over 2,000,000 cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2010. The disease accounts for about half of all cancer diagnoses. Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer is much more common than melanoma and is less life-threatening. However, when left untreated or detected late, non-melanoma skin cancer can be fatal.
More Commonly Diagnosed Cancer Types in the U.S.
The following is a list of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. for 2010.
Bladder Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that 70,530 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2010. When diagnosed in the early stages, it is highly treatable. There are several types of bladder cancer, some being more common then others. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma, accounting for about 90% of bladder cancer cases.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. It is estimated that over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Breast health should be a top priority for all women, including having clinical breast exams and regular mammograms. Although breast cancer is often hereditary, women without a family history of the disease can develop breast cancer as well.
Colon Cancer
In 2010, 102,000 people are estimated to be diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, early detection is possible with timely and regular screenings. It is recommended that people of average risk begin having screenings at age 50 and every ten years after.
Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer develops in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus in women. It is commonly referred to as uterine cancer, but other types of cancer do develop in the uterus, though much less often. Endometrial cancer is most often diagnosed in women who have gone through menopause, but it can be diagnosed in younger women, too. About 43,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2010.
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell)
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for up to 90% of cases of the disease. In renal cell carcinoma, malignant cells are believed to arise from the tubules of the kidney. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed in 2010.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a disease that affects blood-forming cells in the body. It is a cancerous condition characterized by an abundance of abnormal white blood cells in the body. Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and spreads to other parts of the body. Both children and adults can develop leukemia.
Lung Cancer
Aside from non-melanoma skin cancers, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women. In 2010, 222,520 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease. One of the major factors for lung cancer development is smoking. Other causes exist, such as radon exposure and other chemical exposures, but smoking remains the major risk factor for lung cancer.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that affects approximately 5% of people diagnosed with skin cancer. Melanoma is also attributed to over 75% of all skin cancer deaths each year. In many cases, melanoma can be prevented by lowering exposure to risk factors. Melanoma is treatable when detected early.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
It is estimated that over 65,540 people will be diagnosed with NHL in 2010. The disease affects the lymphatic system in both children and adults. There are about 30 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Common symptoms include night sweats and swollen lymph nodes.
Pancreatic Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that over 43,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. It is almost always fatal, as it is most often diagnosed in the late stages. It is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It is estimated that 36,000 people will die of pancreatic cancer this year.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a disease that affects the prostate gland, which is found only in men. The gland is the size of a walnut and is located beneath the bladder and underneath the rectum. It is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men, with an estimated 217,730 new diagnoses in 2010.
Thyroid Cancer
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower part of the neck. Although small in size, how well the thyroid is functioning has a huge impact on our health. It has many functions, including regulating our metabolism and production of hormones. It is expected that 44,670 people will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2010.
For example, stomach cancer may be common in Japan, but is considered rare in the Unites States. The types of cancer that are common for one country may not be the same for another.
In the U.S., a type of cancer has to have at least 40,000 reported cases to be considered a common type of cancer. This figure often changes from year to year. For example, in 2005, the annual incidence had to be at least 25,000, but in 2010, it was 40,000. These statistics are compiled by the American Cancer Society, who releases an annual report about cancer incidence and morbidity. See the ACS Cancer Facts and Figures 2010.
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Over 2,000,000 cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2010. The disease accounts for about half of all cancer diagnoses. Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer is much more common than melanoma and is less life-threatening. However, when left untreated or detected late, non-melanoma skin cancer can be fatal.
More Commonly Diagnosed Cancer Types in the U.S.
The following is a list of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. for 2010.
Bladder Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that 70,530 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2010. When diagnosed in the early stages, it is highly treatable. There are several types of bladder cancer, some being more common then others. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma, accounting for about 90% of bladder cancer cases.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. It is estimated that over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Breast health should be a top priority for all women, including having clinical breast exams and regular mammograms. Although breast cancer is often hereditary, women without a family history of the disease can develop breast cancer as well.
Colon Cancer
In 2010, 102,000 people are estimated to be diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, early detection is possible with timely and regular screenings. It is recommended that people of average risk begin having screenings at age 50 and every ten years after.
Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer develops in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus in women. It is commonly referred to as uterine cancer, but other types of cancer do develop in the uterus, though much less often. Endometrial cancer is most often diagnosed in women who have gone through menopause, but it can be diagnosed in younger women, too. About 43,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2010.
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell)
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for up to 90% of cases of the disease. In renal cell carcinoma, malignant cells are believed to arise from the tubules of the kidney. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed in 2010.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a disease that affects blood-forming cells in the body. It is a cancerous condition characterized by an abundance of abnormal white blood cells in the body. Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and spreads to other parts of the body. Both children and adults can develop leukemia.
Lung Cancer
Aside from non-melanoma skin cancers, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women. In 2010, 222,520 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease. One of the major factors for lung cancer development is smoking. Other causes exist, such as radon exposure and other chemical exposures, but smoking remains the major risk factor for lung cancer.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that affects approximately 5% of people diagnosed with skin cancer. Melanoma is also attributed to over 75% of all skin cancer deaths each year. In many cases, melanoma can be prevented by lowering exposure to risk factors. Melanoma is treatable when detected early.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
It is estimated that over 65,540 people will be diagnosed with NHL in 2010. The disease affects the lymphatic system in both children and adults. There are about 30 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Common symptoms include night sweats and swollen lymph nodes.
Pancreatic Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that over 43,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. It is almost always fatal, as it is most often diagnosed in the late stages. It is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It is estimated that 36,000 people will die of pancreatic cancer this year.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a disease that affects the prostate gland, which is found only in men. The gland is the size of a walnut and is located beneath the bladder and underneath the rectum. It is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men, with an estimated 217,730 new diagnoses in 2010.
Thyroid Cancer
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower part of the neck. Although small in size, how well the thyroid is functioning has a huge impact on our health. It has many functions, including regulating our metabolism and production of hormones. It is expected that 44,670 people will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2010.