Advocacy Facts and Figures

As more and more people are living with cancer, they are encountering issues that have not been adequately addressed through the health care system. 

Cancer Today

• There are more than 10 million individuals in the United States today who are living with cancer. 
• Nearly 40 percent of people living with cancer are under the age of 65.
• 64 percent of adults diagnosed with cancer today will be living 5 years from now.
• The annual cost of cancer in the United States is $189.8 trillion in direct and indirect costs.

Cancer and Families

• 3 out of every 4 American families will have at least 1 family member diagnosed with cancer.
• 24 percent of adults with cancer are parents who have a child 18 years or younger.

Death Due to Cancer

• 1 of every 4 deaths in the United States is from cancer. 
• Each day, more than 1,500 Americans lose their lives to cancer.

Then vs. Now

• In 1960, 4 percent of children with cancer survived more than 5 years.
• Nearly 80 percent of children (ages 0 through 14) diagnosed with cancer today will be living 5 years from now.
• The 5-year survivorship rates for young adults (ages 20 through 40) with cancer has remained unchanged for the past 30 years.

The system must be changed to reflect the needs of survivors, and the way to change it is through advocacy.