The (Good News) Takeaway
- 70% of cancer patients now survive at least five years, a first in U.S. history
- Survival has more than doubled for some advanced cancers since the 1990s
- Lung, liver, and myeloma show some of the biggest improvements
- Cancer deaths are down 34% since 1991, preventing nearly 5 million deaths
- Access and equity gaps remain, especially for Native American communities
For once, the phrase “good cancer news” really applies.
According to a newly released report from the American Cancer Society, seven in ten Americans diagnosed with cancer now survive at least five years. That milestone — a 70% five-year survival rate across all cancers combined — has never been reached before.
The data comes from Cancer Statistics, 2026, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the ACS’s flagship research journal. It reflects outcomes for people diagnosed between 2015 and 2021.
To put that progress in perspective: in the mid-1970s, only about half of cancer patients made it to the five-year mark.
Gary P Guthrie
The quiet revolution in “fatal” cancers
What makes this report especially encouraging for older adults is where the biggest gains are happening.
Survival has improved most sharply for cancers long considered the most deadly:
- Multiple myeloma: survival rose from 32% to 62%
- Liver cancer: up from 7% to 22%
- Lung cancer: nearly doubled, from 15% to 28%
Even for cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage, outcomes are improving. Five-year survival for distant-stage cancers has doubled overall since the mid-1990s, reaching 35%.
Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at ACS and lead author of the report, credits decades of sustained research investment for the shift. Treatments that once barely slowed disease are now helping many patients live with cancer as a chronic condition — not a short-term prognosis.
“This stunning victory is largely the result of decades of cancer research that provided clinicians with the tools to treat the disease more effectively, turning many cancers from a death sentence into a chronic disease," Siegel said.
Fewer deaths — but more diagnoses
The report also highlights a complicated reality seniors know well: progress doesn’t always move in a straight line.
Cancer death rates have dropped 34% since peaking in 1991, preventing an estimated 4.8 million deaths. At the same time, new cancer diagnoses are rising for several common cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic, and uterine cancers.
In 2026 alone, ACS projects:
- 2.1 million new cancer diagnoses
- 626,000 cancer-related deaths
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death — more than colorectal and pancreatic cancers combined — but survival is improving even there, especially for people who receive newer targeted or immunotherapy treatments.
Gary P Guthrie
The unfinished work: access, equity, and survivorship
Not all communities are benefiting equally. Native American populations continue to experience the highest cancer mortality rates, with death rates roughly twice those of White Americans for several cancers.
ACS researchers point to persistent gaps in access to high-quality care, insurance coverage, and early detection.
And survival itself brings new challenges. As more people live longer after cancer, the focus is shifting toward survivorship — managing long-term side effects, emotional health, and the financial strain that can linger long after treatment ends.
The ACS has expanded survivorship guidelines and resources, but researchers stress that support systems must grow alongside survival gains.
For seniors and their families, the message is clear: cancer outcomes are improving in real, measurable ways — but staying informed, insured, and connected to care still matters.
Health Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Cancer risks, treatments, and outcomes vary widely by individual. Always consult your physician or oncology care team for guidance specific to your health situation.
