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Cancer Fact Sheets -- American Cancer Society
Cancer Facts and Figures 2024
This document from the American Cancer Society provides cancer facts and figures for 2024.
Cancer Fact Sheet for LGBTQ+ People
"Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) people have a higher risk of cancer than heterosexual and cisgender people. Many LGBTQ+ people face barriers to cancer screening, such as access to health care or fear of provider discrimination. This has led to lower screen rates, higher cancer risk, and worse outcomes in LGBTQ+ people."
Questions to Ask About Your Cancer
"If you have been told you have cancer, you may have a lot of questions. Your doctor or cancer team is the best place to start asking these questions."
What is Cancer?
"Cancer affects 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States. Chances are
that you or someone you know has been affected by cancer."
Cancer in Young Adults -- American Cancer Society
Can Cancers in Young Adults Be Prevented?
"Most cancers in young adults do not have a known cause, so it’s not possible to prevent all of them. But there are things they can do that might lower their risk of cancer."
Finding Cancer in Young Adults
"Cancers in young adults are often found later than they are in other age groups. Here are a few reasons a diagnosis of cancer might be delayed."
Key Statistics for Cancers in Young Adults
"About 80,000 young adults aged 20 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. About 4% of all cancers are diagnosed in people in this age range."
Late and Long-term Effects of Cancer Treatment in Young Adults
"Just as the treatment of cancer in young adults requires a specialized approach, so does aftercare and watching for late effects."
Risk Factors and Causes of Cancer in Young Adults
"Cancer occurs as a result of changes (mutations) in the genes1 inside our cells. Genes, which are made of DNA, control nearly everything our cells do. Some genes control when our cells grow, divide into new cells, and die. Changes in these genes can cause cells to grow out of control, which can sometimes lead to cancer."
Special Issues for Young Adults With Cancer
"Young adults with cancer can face many challenges, from the first onset of symptoms through treatment and beyond."
Types of Cancers That Develop in Young Adults
"There is no strict definition of what separates “childhood cancers" from cancers in young adults, or when exactly a person is no longer a young adult. But cancers in young adults are often thought of as those that start in people between the ages of 20 and 39."
