Cancer Statistics

• U.S. Cancer Statistics
• Global Cancer Statistics
• Cancer Prevention and Cancer Risk Reduction Statistics
• Integrative Cancer Care Statistics
• Evidence-Based Medicine Statistics

U.S. Cancer Statistics

Approximately 41 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.
-National Cancer Institute

Approximately 1.5 million men and women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer annually and over 500,000 will die of the disease.
-National Cancer Institute

Cancer is the number one disease killer under age 85.
-American Cancer Society

Over 12 million cancer survivors are alive today.
-National Cancer Institute

In the United States between 1950 and 2005, the death rate from cancer declined by 5 percent. The death rate from heart disease fell in the same time period by 64 percent.
-Centers for Disease Control

Global Cancer Statistics

Cancer is projected to become the number one disease killer worldwide.
-World Health Organization

The international cancer burden is expected to double between 2000 and 2020, and triple by 2030.
-International Agency for Research on Cancer

Cancer Prevention and Cancer Risk Reduction Statistics

More than 50 studies involving 40,000 people with colon cancer have found that people who exercise regularly have a 40 to 50 percent lower risk of colon cancer, compared with those who don't exercise regularly. Regular exercise also reduces the risk of polyps, growths in the colon that can turn into cancer.
-American Society for Clinical Oncology's People Living With Cancer¹

Studies in North America, Europe, and Asia show that women who exercise at moderate-to-vigorous levels for more than three hours per week have a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of breast cancer. The reduced risk was found in women regardless of their family history of breast cancer and in women at every level of risk for breast cancer.
-American Society for Clinical Oncology's People Living With Cancer¹

There is convincing evidence that physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of cancers of the colon and breast. Several studies also have reported links between physical activity and a reduced risk of cancers of the prostate, lung and lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Despite these health benefits, recent studies have shown that more than 60 percent of Americans do not engage in enough regular physical activity.
-National Cancer Institute²

Integrative Cancer Care Statistics

Approximately one-third of the cancer deaths can be attributed to poor diet, physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity.
-American Cancer Society, World Health Organization

Approximately 83 percent of people with cancer use at least one complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality³.

Comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle interventions reduce progression of prostate cancer and impact prostate and breast cancer gene expression.
-Dean Ornish, MD^4-6

People with metastatic breast cancer and prostate cancer who received intensive integrative oncology treatments and approaches lived twice as long as patients getting standard treatments alone.
-Keith I. Block, MD⁷

Note: Additional studies suggesting benefits such as improved survival and quality of life from integrative cancer care are referenced in information throughout the EmbodiWorks website.

Evidence-Based Medicine Statistics

Fewer than 30 percent of the procedures currently used in mainstream medicine had been rigorously tested.
-Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress⁸

Our most popular resources

Diet and Cancer
You are what you eat! Some foods kill cancer cells and others promote cancer cell growth. Learning the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods in the midst of cancer is essential.

Cancer Resources
Knowledge is power. Reliable resources are empowering. We provide clear information, explanations, and maps to educate and empower. Explore our integrative cancer care resources for navigation tools and support.

Mind-Body Strategies
The mental and emotional inner life impacts health and healing through the mind-body connection. Learn about empowering mind-body practices supporting mind, body, and spirit for cancer patients and caregivers.

Spiritual Support
The spiritual dimensions of life often become more prominent in the midst of cancer for cancer patients and their loved ones. Explore our empowering information about spirituality for support and strategies.

References

1. American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer.Net Physical Activity and Cancer Risk
2. http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/PhysicalActivity
3. Richardson MA, Mâsse LC, Nanny K, Sanders C. Discrepant views of oncologists and cancer patients on complementary/alternative medicine. Support Care Cancer. 2004 Nov;12(11):797-804. PMID: 15378417
4. Ornish D, Lin J, Daubenmier J, Weidner G, Epel E, Kemp C, Magbanua MJ, Marlin R, Yglecias L, Carroll PR, Blackburn EH. Increased telomerase activity and comprehensive lifestyle changes: a pilot study. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Nov;9(11):1048-57. Epub 2008 Sep 15. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2008 Dec;9(12):1124. PubMed PMID: 18799354.
5. Ornish, D., M. J. Magbanua, G. Weidner, V. Weinberg, C. Kemp, C. Green, M.D. Mattie, R. Marlin, J. Simko, K. Shinohara, C. M. Haqq, and P. R. Carroll. 2008a. Changes in prostate gene expression in men undergoing an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105 (24):8369-74.
6. Frattaroli J, Weidner G, Dnistrian AM, Kemp C, Daubenmier JJ, Marlin RO, Crutchfield L, Yglecias L, Carroll PR, Ornish D. Clinical events in prostate cancer lifestyle trial: results from two years of follow-up. Urology. 2008 Dec;72(6):1319-23. Epub 2008 Jul 7. PubMed PMID: 18602144.
7. Block KI, Gyllenhaal C, Tripathy D, Freels S, Mead MN, Block PB, Steinmann WC, Newman RA, Shoham J. Survival Impact of Integrative Cancer Care in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer. Breast J. 2009 May 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 19470134
8. Katz DL. Clinical Epidemiology & Evidence-based Medicine. Sage Publications, Inc. Thousand Oaks, CA. 2001