Overview of the American Cancer Society’s 2025 Cancer Trends Report
The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual cancer trends report for 2025 presents a complex mix of progress and challenges in the fight against cancer. While significant strides have been made in reducing cancer death rates over the past few decades, certain concerning trends persist, particularly among younger individuals and marginalized communities. Between 1991 and 2022, cancer death rates dropped by 34%, a decline attributed to advancements in early detection, reductions in smoking rates, and improved treatment options. However, experts caution that this progress is not universal, and certain cancers continue to pose significant threats, particularly in younger populations and underserved groups.
Rising Cancer Rates in Younger Individuals: A Growing Concern
One of the most alarming trends highlighted in the report is the increasing prevalence of cancer among younger individuals and adolescents. Cancer is now the leading disease-related cause of death among children and adolescents, with leukemia, brain cancer, and lymphoma being the most common types. In 2025, an estimated 9,550 children under the age of 14 and 5,140 adolescents aged 15 to 19 will be diagnosed with cancer, resulting in approximately 1,050 deaths among children and 600 deaths among adolescents. This concerning trend is not limited to pediatric cancers; younger adults under the age of 50 are also experiencing higher rates of cancer deaths, particularly in cases of breast cancer and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, such as pancreatic and colon cancer.
Dr. Paul Oberstein, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, emphasizes that the rise in cancer rates among younger individuals is a multifaceted issue. “We don’t have a good explanation, and we need to invest in discovering why this might be the case so that we can change it,” he said. Potential factors contributing to this trend include dietary changes, environmental exposures, and other lifestyle-related factors. Experts agree that further research is urgently needed to understand and address this worrying pattern.
Cervical Cancer: A Preventable Disease with Persistent Threats
Cervical cancer, a disease that is largely preventable through screening and vaccination, continues to pose unnecessary risks, particularly among certain populations. While cervical cancer incidence rates decreased significantly between the mid-1970s and mid-2000s due to increased screening, these rates have since stabilized. In 2025, an estimated 13,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and approximately 4,000 will die from the disease. Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Dallas, Texas, notes that cervical cancer cases among women aged 30 to 44 are increasing, despite the availability of tools to prevent and detect the disease early.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, is a key factor in the persistence of this disease. HPV-related cancers could be significantly reduced through increased vaccination rates and regular screening. Dr. Shepherd emphasizes the importance of early detection and education, stating, “If we had the ability to have more potential early detection, then we could see abnormalities in cells … before it actually gets to cancer and could take the time to address it.” However, disparities in access to healthcare and screening services continue to hinder progress, particularly in underserved communities.
Disparities in Healthcare Access Continue to Affect Cancer Outcomes
The ACS report highlights significant disparities in cancer outcomes among different racial and ethnic groups. Native Americans and Black individuals continue to experience higher cancer death rates compared to White individuals for several types of cancer. For cervical cancer, the death rate among Black women is 50% higher, and among Native American women, it is 70% higher than among White women. The five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is also lower for Black women, at 58%, compared to 67% for White women. These disparities are largely attributed to limited access to healthcare, including preventative screenings and timely treatment.
Dr. Shepherd underscores the need for increased awareness, education, and research to address these gaps. “Cervical cancer is preventable through screening with the Pap plus HPV and co-testing,” she said. Expanding access to these services and promoting public education could help reduce the burden of cervical cancer and other preventable cancers in underserved populations. However, without targeted interventions and systemic changes, these disparities are likely to persist, leading to continued inequities in cancer outcomes.
Increasing Incidence of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including pancreatic, liver, colorectal, and stomach cancers, remain highly deadly, with limited progress in reducing their incidence and mortality rates. The ACS report reveals that colorectal cancer diagnoses among men and women under the age of 65 have continued to rise, with incidence rates increasing by 2.4% annually among individuals under 50 and by 0.4% annually among those aged 50 to 64 between 2012 and 2021. Pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal forms of GI cancer, has seen both incidence and mortality rates increase by 1% annually in both men and women.
In 2025, an estimated 67,440 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., and 51,980 people will die from the disease. The five-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains dismal at just 13%, highlighting the urgent need for earlier detection and more effective treatments. Dr. Oberstein, a GI specialist, notes that while advancements in early detection and treatment have improved outcomes for some GI cancers, such as colon cancer, other types, including stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancers, continue to pose significant challenges. “The biggest benefit we’ve seen in terms of mortality comes from earlier detection of GI cancers,” he said. “But we really need to double down on trying to detect stomach cancer, liver cancer, and especially pancreatic cancer earlier in order to make a big difference.”
Moving Forward: The Path to Progress in Cancer Care
Despite the concerning trends outlined in the ACS report, there is cause for optimism. Continued advancements in cancer research, early detection, and treatment offer hope for improving outcomes across all populations. However, addressing the disparities and challenges highlighted in the report will require a multifaceted approach, including increased investment in research, expanded access to healthcare, and enhanced public education.
Dr. Joshua Strauss, a hematologist and medical oncologist at Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates, emphasizes the importance of vigilance and action. “While the report shows continued progress on many fronts, certain areas remain of significant concern,” he said. By addressing these concerns head-on, the cancer community can work toward a future where the burden of cancer is reduced for all individuals, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. The ACS report serves as a reminder of both the progress made and the work still to be done in the ongoing fight against cancer.
