Although cancer incidence rates have decreased, the number of cancer survivors has grown because of the aging and growth of the general population and improving cancer survival rates, according to a report by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.
The number of Americans with a history of cancer will grow from an estimated 13.7 million today to almost 18 million by 2022, according to a what researchers described as a first-of-its-kind report.
The researchers noted that "the growing number of cancer survivors in the U.S. makes it increasingly important to understand the unique medical and psychosocial needs of survivors and raise awareness of resources that can assist parents, caregivers and healthcare providers in navigating the various phases of cancer survivorship," according to a news release.
Among males living with a history of cancer in 2012, the three most common types are prostate cancer (43%), colorectal cancer (9%) and melanoma (7%). Among women in 2012 with a history of cancer, the three most common types are breast (41%), uterine (8%) and colorectal (8%) cancer. In 2022, those proportions are expected to be largely unchanged, according to the researchers.
The researchers also found that nearly half (45%) of cancer survivors are 70 or older, while only 5% are younger than 40. The median age of patients at the time of cancer diagnosis is 66. The U.S. has 58,510 survivors of childhood cancer, with an additional 12,060 children projected to be diagnosed in 2012. The majority of cancer survivors (64%) were diagnosed five or more years ago, and 15% were diagnosed 20 or more years ago.
In addition to prevalence estimates, the report and an accompanying journal article also include information on treatment, survival and common concerns of survivors for 11 selected cancers, as well as sections on the effects of cancer and its treatment, palliative care, long-term survivorship, the benefits of healthy behaviors and resources for cancer survivors from the American Cancer Society and other organizations.
"Many survivors, even among those who are cancer-free, must cope with the long-term effects of treatment, as well as psychological concerns such as fear of recurrence," Elizabeth R. Ward, PhD, the senior author of the report and the national vice president of intramural research at the American Cancer Society, said in a news release. "As more people survive cancer, it is vital that healthcare providers are aware of the special needs of cancer patients and caregivers."
To read the report, visit http://bit.ly/KJWXkJ. To read the accompanying journal article, which appeared June 14 on the website of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, visit http://bit.ly/LbVpWr.
The number of Americans with a history of cancer will grow from an estimated 13.7 million today to almost 18 million by 2022, according to a what researchers described as a first-of-its-kind report.
The researchers noted that "the growing number of cancer survivors in the U.S. makes it increasingly important to understand the unique medical and psychosocial needs of survivors and raise awareness of resources that can assist parents, caregivers and healthcare providers in navigating the various phases of cancer survivorship," according to a news release.
Among males living with a history of cancer in 2012, the three most common types are prostate cancer (43%), colorectal cancer (9%) and melanoma (7%). Among women in 2012 with a history of cancer, the three most common types are breast (41%), uterine (8%) and colorectal (8%) cancer. In 2022, those proportions are expected to be largely unchanged, according to the researchers.
The researchers also found that nearly half (45%) of cancer survivors are 70 or older, while only 5% are younger than 40. The median age of patients at the time of cancer diagnosis is 66. The U.S. has 58,510 survivors of childhood cancer, with an additional 12,060 children projected to be diagnosed in 2012. The majority of cancer survivors (64%) were diagnosed five or more years ago, and 15% were diagnosed 20 or more years ago.
In addition to prevalence estimates, the report and an accompanying journal article also include information on treatment, survival and common concerns of survivors for 11 selected cancers, as well as sections on the effects of cancer and its treatment, palliative care, long-term survivorship, the benefits of healthy behaviors and resources for cancer survivors from the American Cancer Society and other organizations.
"Many survivors, even among those who are cancer-free, must cope with the long-term effects of treatment, as well as psychological concerns such as fear of recurrence," Elizabeth R. Ward, PhD, the senior author of the report and the national vice president of intramural research at the American Cancer Society, said in a news release. "As more people survive cancer, it is vital that healthcare providers are aware of the special needs of cancer patients and caregivers."
To read the report, visit http://bit.ly/KJWXkJ. To read the accompanying journal article, which appeared June 14 on the website of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, visit http://bit.ly/LbVpWr.
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