The number of cancer survivors in the United States rose from 3 million in 1971 and 9.8 million in 2001 to 11.5 million in 2007, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute.
The numbers come from the study “Cancer Survivors in the United States, 2007” (MMWR 2011;60:269-72). The study authors defined a cancer survivor as “a person living with a history of cancer.”
The new numbers highlight the need for more research on the unique physical, psychological, and social issues facing cancer survivors. There is now “a growing number of people who have faced a cancer diagnosis which affects them and their loved ones – from the time of diagnosis through the rest of their lives,” the NCI's Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D., said in a press release.
“Unfortunately for many cancer survivors and those around them, the effect of cancer does not end with the last treatment. … This report underscores the need for continued research, as well as for the development and implementation of best practices to provide optimal care and support for all cancer survivors,” said Dr. Rowland, director of the NCI's Office of Cancer Survivorship.
The study authors analyzed the number of new cancer cases (except in situ and nonmelanoma skin cancers) as well as follow-up data from the NCI's SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) program in 1971–2006. They estimated the number of persons who were ever diagnosed with cancer and were alive on Jan. 1, 2007 (MMWR 2011;60:269-72).
Notably, 65% of cancer survivors on Jan. 1, 2007, received their diagnosis at least 5 years earlier. Also, people aged 65 years or older accounted for 60%. The largest group of cancer survivors was breast cancer survivors (22%), followed by prostate cancer survivors (19%) and colorectal cancer survivors (10%). Women accounted for slightly more than half (54%) of all survivors.
Clinicians can find research tools, publications and other resources through the NCI's Office of Cancer Survivorship at http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs/