There are more than 200 different types of cancer, with the vast majority attributed to a handful of types. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and a major contributor to health disabilities. Recognition of the most common cancers may raise awareness of which cancers pose the biggest threat and how to reduce your risk for them.
The following are the most common global cancers and rankings for types of cancers diagnosed according to data gathered in 2020 by the World Health Organization.
- Breast (2.26 million)
- Lung (2.21 million)
- Colon and rectum (1.93 million)
- Prostate (1.41 million)
- Non-melanoma skin (1.20 million)
- Stomach (1.09 million)
The National Cancer Institute lists the following cancers as the most common in the United States, along with an estimate of new cases expected for 2023.
- Breast (297,790 women; 2,800 men)
- Prostate (288,300)
- Lung, including bronchus (238,340)
- Colon and rectal (153,020)
- Melanoma (97,610)
- Bladder (82,290)
It is important to talk to your health care provider about applicable screenings for these cancers. Women are urged to get breast mammograms at set intervals. Men can undergo prostate specific antigen screening. Colonoscopy can help inform both men and women of their risk for colon and rectal cancers. Lung cancer screenings typically are not routine unless a person has a high risk of lung cancer or is a longtime smoker. Spreading knowledge of common cancers and promoting proactive screening and healthy lifestyles may help reduce cancer rates around the globe.
