The 5 Deadliest Types of Cancer In America
A total of 606,520 Americans will die from cancer in 2020. And more than 1.8 million Americans will receive the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis this year. These estimates are courtesy of the American Cancer Society’s annual Cancer Facts & Figures report. With a population of just over 328 million people, this disease is projected to affect 0.55% of the population, which may seem like a small amount until you remember that the United States has a population of well over 329 million people.
These are some big number estimates and with more than 100 different types of cancer that one can be diagnosed with, which ones are the deadliest? Take a look at the list below to see which types made the list of the deadliest cancers in America.
The Top 5 Deadliest Types of Cancer
- ) Lung Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer will be the deadliest type of cancer in the U.S. in 2020 and will be responsible for an estimated 135,720 deaths. This amounts to 22.4% of the total cancer deaths in 2020.
2.) Colon Cancer
Colon cancer, which includes the deaths from rectal cancer, is the second deadliest with a projected estimation of 53,200 deaths this year, or 8.8% of the total deaths. The numbers for the two types of cancer are combined due to many deaths from rectal cancer being classified as colon cancer.
3.) Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the third deadliest and is estimated to claim 47,050 lives in 2020, or 7.8% of the total deaths.
4.) Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is estimated to claim 42,690 lives this year, making it a close 4th to pancreatic cancer. It will claim 7% of the total deaths. After lung cancer, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women in America.
5.) Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is another deadly one, landing in the middle of the top 10 list with an estimated 33,330 deaths this year. Although Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men.
Below you can find a breakdown of the 46 most-commonly diagnosed types of cancer in the United States, and the number of lives each type is estimated to claim in 2020.
