Facts and Statistics About Cancer
Cancer is an extremely devastating medical condition that affects millions of people on a yearly basis. It impacts individuals from nearly every walk of life, and it is currently the leading cause of death in the country. Due to its prevalence it is one of the most widely researched diseases in the world; however, a “cure” is still frustratingly out of reach. At Golden Triangle Emergency Center we are committed to improving the quality of life of our patients. That is why we put together the following guide about cancer related facts and statistics.
The Most Common Types of Cancer
There are many types of cancer, each one impacting a different bodily organ or system. The three most common cancers are as follows:
- Breast Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
However, there are a multitude of other somewhat less common cancers including but not limited to the following:
- Colon Cancer
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma – Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin
- Melanoma
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Brain Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Bone Cancer
- Carcinoma
- Kidney Cancer
- Mouth Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Throat Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of cancers, but merely some of the many large categories of cancers a person may experience. Tragically, many of these cancers, such as pancreatic, have enormously high rates of mortality.
Yearly Cases of Cancer
The rate of cancer in the general population has been steadily climbing since cancer rates have been recorded. During the previous year alone, an estimated 1.7 million people received a cancer diagnosis, with roughly 590,000 of those diagnoses being fatal. This translates to roughly 458 out of 100,000 men and women being diagnosed with cancer on a yearly basis. The number of cancer deaths is 171 out of 100,000, but those with access to high-quality medical care have the greatest chance of survival.
Cancer Demographics
Demographically speaking, the cancer mortality rate is higher among men than women. The reason for this is currently unknown but could be due to a range of factors including lifestyle, behavioral, hormonal, and physiological differences.
African-American men have the highest mortality rate of any ethnic group. Asian American women have the lowest rates of cancer. Some disparity in mortality rates among the races is believed to be fueled at least in part by differences in income level and access to health care. However, genetic differences almost certainly also play a role.
Nearly 39.4% of all men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during the course of their lifetime. The overall rate of cancer is also much higher among the elderly than it is among younger people and steadily climbs as a person ages. Yet, some specific types of cancer like testicular cancer and Leukemia are more common earlier in life.
The Financial Cost of Cancer
Cancer is also an expensive disease. National expenditures for cancer treatment in the US reached $125 billion during the past year. This is projected to increase to roughly $156 billion over the next four years since the rate of cancer seems to be steadily rising. The largest amount of money went towards treating breast cancer and the smallest amount went towards treating esophageal cancer. To some extent the financial cost of cancer is starting to pay off with survival rates steadily increasing overall on a yearly basis across all demographics.
Cancer on a Global Scale
The United States is not the only country that is impacted by this rapid upsurge in cancer rates. Cancer is currently the leading cause of death worldwide, and there were nearly 14 million new cases reported last year. This is expected to rise to almost 22 million over the next two decades, but newer, more effective treatment options are expected to increase the survival rate as well. Almost 60% of the world’s new cancer cases occur in South America, Africa, and Asia.
Early Screening and Prevention
Here at Golden Triangle Emergency Center, we realize that many of these statistics seem depressing, and it can be hard to remember that one’s best chance from survival stems from regular check-ups. Basic cancer screening tests can catch the illness in its early stages, and significantly improve a patient’s chances of surviving. By understanding your risk for developing cancer, and seeking routine medical treatment, you can decrease your chances of developing this horrible illness.
Remember that if you are experiencing any complications due to either cancer or cancer treatment Golden Triangle Emergency Center is here to provide 24/7 emergency medical treatment in a comfortable, caring environment with state-of-the-art facilities and shorter wait times.