
The 10 most common cancers in the United States are as follows:
- Breast cancer: It is the most common cancer in the United States. Although it is more common in women, breast cancer may be seen in men as well. Early detection of breast cancer can be done by performing an imaging study called a mammogram. There were an estimated 271,270 new cases of breast cancer in 2019 in the United States.
- Lung cancer: This is the second most common cancer in the United States. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer accounted for an estimated 228,150 new cases in the United States in 2019.
- Prostate cancer: It is a common type of cancer among men affecting around one in six men in the United States. The cancer usually grows very slowly. Screening for prostate cancer can be done through estimating a substance called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood or by digital rectal examination (DRE) by a doctor. This helps in finding and treating it before symptoms occur.
- Colon and rectal cancer: Colon and rectal cancers are often called colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer often starts as a small growth, called a polyp, inside the colon or rectum. The cancer can be prevented by finding and removing polyps. Colorectal cancer causes an estimated 145,600 new cases each year in the United States.
- Bladder cancer: It affects around 80,000 Americans each year. A common symptom of bladder cancer is finding blood in the urine. The cancer was responsible for an estimated 17,600 deaths in 2019. Smoking is an critical risk factor for bladder cancer.
- Skin cancer: Skin cancer is one of the most common cancer in the United States. Skin cancer is broadly divided into melanoma and nonmelanoma (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) categories. Although melanoma is much less common than the other types of skin cancer, it is the most serious or fatal variety. It is much more likely to metastasize (invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body). It is estimated to cause 7,300 deaths in the United States in 2019.
- Kidney (renal cell and renal pelvis) cancer: Kidney cancer caused an estimated 73,820 new cases and 14,770 deaths in the United States. in 2019. Tobacco is a major risk factor for kidney cancer. The cancer can affect both adults and children. The major varieties of this cancer include renal cell cancer, transitional cell cancer, and Wilms tumor.
- Endometrial cancer: This refers to a cancer arising from the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus). Cancer in the uterus or uterine cancer is of two types: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma (rare). Endometrial cancer is the much commoner of the two and can often be cured through surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or hormonal methods, depending on the stage of the cancer. It may manifest as abnormal vaginal bleeding such as postmenopausal bleeding and bleeding or spotting in between periods. It was estimated to cause 61,880 new cases in American women in 2019.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL): Lymphoma includes the cancers that begin in cells of the lymph system. It is of two broad types: Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL. Hodgkin lymphoma is often curable, whereas the prognosis of NHL depends on the specific type. NHL is of about 30 different varieties. A common symptom of NHL is swollen lymph nodes. It was estimated to cause 74,200 new cases and 19,970 deaths in the United States in 2019.
- Leukemia: The term leukemia is used for cancer of the blood cells. Because there are different types of blood cells, such as red blood cells and white blood cells, the type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cell that becomes cancerous and whether it grows rapidly or slowly. Leukemia mostly occurs in adults older than 55 years; however, it is also the commonest cancer in children younger than 15 years of age.
Which is the deadliest cancer?
Lung cancer is the number one killer cancer in the world. It is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women. About 200,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the United States. Lung cancer causes around 150,000 deaths each year in the United States. Globally, lung cancer caused 1.8 million deaths in 2018. Cigarettes are linked to 80-90% of all lung cancers.
Which type of cancer is the most common?
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It affects both men and women. It accounts for an expected 271,270 new cases in the United States in 2019. The second and third most common cancers in the United States are lung cancer and prostate cancer, respectively.
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