Cancer has a profound impact on individuals, employers, and the health care system. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including continued research, policy changes, and support systems for those affected.
How cancer impacts people across the world
1. An estimated 2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024. (Source: National Cancer Institute)
2. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death globally, responsible for approximately 10 million deaths per year. (Source: American Cancer Society)
3. Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with over 2.3 million new cases per year. (Source: Science Direct)
4. Approximately 40% of men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. (Source: National Cancer Institute)
5. The survival rate for all cancers combined has increased from 49% in the 1970s to 69% in recent years, thanks to advancements in treatment and early detection. (Source: American Cancer Society Journals)
6. Cancer causes significant loss of income for patients and their families, with an estimated 42% of cancer patients 50 or older depleting their life savings within two years of diagnosis. (Source: National Institutes of Health)
Oncology-related health care costs
7. The cost of cancer-related health care in the U.S. is projected to be $222 billion in 2025 – 21% higher than the $183 billion spent in 2015. (Source: American Cancer Society)
8. Cancer is the top condition driving health care costs and trend for U.S. employers, as more late-stage cancers are identified and new expensive treatments become available. (Source: Business Group on Health)
9. New cancer drugs that cost more than $200,000 per year account for 44% of drug launches, up from 7% in 2017. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive)
10. The cost of radiation therapy can range from $8,600 to $25,500 per course of treatment, depending on the type and duration. (Source: American Society of Clinical Oncology)
Important cancer statistics for employers
11. 72% of large employers surveyed about their benefits said they are seeing a higher prevalence of cancer among their workers and their families. (Source: Business Group on Health)
12. Cancer treatment is expected to average $10,000 per month for each patient and to account for more than 25% of high-cost health insurance claims by 2025. (Source: SHRM)
13. About half of the employees diagnosed with cancer don’t share the diagnosis with their employer. (Source: HR Executive)
14. Improving the consistency of cancer screenings could have a significant impact. One study found that increasing screenings by just 10% could save tens of thousands of lives – including 21% fewer deaths from colorectal cancer and 40% fewer deaths from cervical cancer. (Source: National Cancer Institute)
15. Communities with greater social needs face disparities in cancer diagnosis and treatment. For example, Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than White men, and Black women are twice as likely to die from endometrial cancer than White women. (Source: American Cancer Society)
This article was created with the assistance of AI tools. It was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Cigna Healthcare's editorial team and subject matter experts.
