US cancer mortality rates fell by 35% since 1991

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has released its 16th annual Cancer Progress Report, highlighting significant advancements in oncology. In the United States, cancer mortality rates decreased by 35% between 1991 and 2024, representing approximately 4.8 million fewer deaths.

Key drivers of this decline include reduced smoking rates, improvements in prevention and early diagnosis, and more effective therapeutic options. The report also notes that the five-year relative survival rate for patients with distant disease has more than doubled over the last three decades, rising from 17% in the mid-1990s to 36% during the 2016–2022 period.

Future developments in the field are expected to be shaped by artificial intelligence, liquid biopsies, cancer vaccines, and new RNA-based therapeutic approaches.