Cancer Facts and Figures is a report published annually by the American Cancer Society (ACS) that provides comprehensive data and statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, survival rates, and trends in the United States. It also covers information about risk factors, prevention, early detection, and the impact of cancer on different populations. Below are key highlights based on general cancer facts:

Key Cancer Statistics:

1. Incidence & Mortality:
a. Approximately 1.9 million new cancer cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
b. More than 600,000 cancer deaths occur annually.
c. The four most common cancers in the U.S. are breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer.
d. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.

2. Survival Rates:
a. Cancer survival rates have been steadily improving over the past few decades, mainly due to advances in early detection, treatment, and prevention efforts.
b. The 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined is around 68% today, compared to about 49% in the 1970s.

3. Gender Differences:
a. Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with and die from cancer. For example, the lifetime probability of developing cancer is 1 in 2 for men and 1 in 3 for women.
b. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, while breast cancer is the most common among women.

4. Cancer by Race/Ethnicity:
a. Cancer disparities exist, with Black men having the highest cancer mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S.
b. The incidence and death rates for certain cancers, such as liver and stomach cancer, are higher in Asian American and Hispanic populations than in non-Hispanic whites.

Cancer Risk Factors:

1. Tobacco Use:
Smoking is the most significant risk factor, linked to about 30% of all cancer deaths, particularly lung cancer.

2. Diet and Physical Activity:
Poor diet, obesity, and physical inactivity account for a large number of preventable cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can significantly lower cancer risk.

3. Genetics and Family History:
Some cancers are influenced by inherited genetic mutations. For example, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

4. Environmental Factors:
Exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos, UV radiation, and certain chemicals can increase cancer risk.

5. Infectious Agents:
Viruses like HPV (human papillomavirus), Hepatitis B and C, and HIV are linked to several types of cancer, including cervical, liver, and Kaposi sarcoma.

Prevention and Early Detection:

Many cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, avoiding excessive sun exposure, getting vaccinated for HPV and Hepatitis B, and regular screening tests like mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears.