Unprecedented progress in medical research is increasing our understanding of the collection of diseases we call cancer and is driving improvements in cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. These advances are made possible by investments in NIH, NCI, FDA, and CDC by the U.S. federal government. As the first and largest professional organization in the world dedicated to preventing and curing all cancers, AACR continues to be a catalyst for scientific breakthroughs that save the lives of patients with cancer. AACR is committed to increasing public understanding of cancer and advocating for increased funding for medical research.The annual AACR Cancer Progress Report to Congress and the American public is a cornerstone of AACR's educational efforts. This thirteenth edition of the report highlights how research continues to extend and improve the lives of Americans, including the lives of the eight courageous individuals featured in the report and their family members who have shared their experiences with cancer. It also underscores how unwavering, bipartisan support from Congress, in the form of robust and sustained annual increases in funding for NIH, NCI, FDA, and CDC, is urgently needed.The remarkable progress being made against cancer is resulting in a steady reduction in cancer death rates, and a consistent rise in the number of people who live longer and fuller lives after a cancer diagnosis. In fact, the overall U.S. cancer death rate has fallen by 33 percent between 1991 and 2020, a reduction that translates into averting an estimated 3.8 million deaths from cancer. The reduction in overall cancer mortality is driven largely by the decline in the U.S. lung cancer death rate, the pace of which has accelerated in recent years because of reduction in smoking and advances in early detection and treatment. Additionally, the reduction in death rates for melanoma, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and female breast cancer has contributed to the progress against overall U.S. cancer mortality. Notably, among U.S. children and adolescents, overall cancer death rates have declined by 70 percent and 64 percent, respectively, over the past five decades.

Transformative research and technological innovations are driving unprecedented progress against the collection of diseases we call cancer. As the first and largest professional organization in the world dedicated to advancing all areas of cancer research and patient care, AACR has been and continues to be a catalyst for scientific breakthroughs that save and enhance the lives of cancer patients. It is also committed to increasing public understanding of cancer and advocating for increased federal funding for cancer research and related sciences. The annual AACR Cancer Progress Report to Congress and the American public is a cornerstone of AACR's educational efforts. This twelfth edition of the report highlights how research continues to extend and improve lives, including the lives of the five courageous individuals featured in the report and their family members who have shared their experiences with cancer. It also underscores how unwavering, bipartisan support from Congress, in the form of robust and sustained annual increases in funding for NIH, NCI, CDC, and FDA, is urgently needed if we are to realize our vision of eradicating cancer for all populations. The remarkable progress being made against cancer-in particular, improvements in reducing smoking rates and developments in early detection and treatment-is resulting in a steady fall in cancer death rates, and a consistent rise in the number of people who live longer after a cancer diagnosis. In fact, in the United States, the age-adjusted overall cancer death rate has been declining since the 1990s, with the reductions between 1991 and 2019 translating into nearly 3.5 million cancer deaths avoided. Additionally, the number of cancer survivors living in the United States has exceeded 18 million as of January 1, 2022. Unfortunately, certain U.S. populations, including racial and ethnic minorities and several other medically underserved groups, have not benefited equally from the advances against cancer. Complex factors referred to as social determinants of health have contributed to cancer health disparities in the United States. It is imperative that all stakeholders work together to eradicate the systemic and structural injustices that are current barriers.

We know more about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment than ever beforeâ€"yet not all segments of the U.S. population have benefited to the fullest extent possible from these advances. Some ethnic minorities experience more cancer than the majority population, and poor peopleâ€"no matter what their ethnicityâ€"often lack access to adequate cancer care. This book provides an authoritative view of cancer as it is experienced by ethnic minorities and the medically underserved. It offers conclusions and recommendations in these areas: Defining and understanding special populations, and improving the collection of cancer-related data. Setting appropriate priorities for and increasing the effectiveness of specific National Institutes of Health (NIH) research programs, to ensure that special populations are represented in clinical trials. Disseminating research results to health professionals serving these populations, with sensitivity to the issues of cancer survivorship. The book provides background data on the nation's struggle against cancer, activities and expenditures of the NIH, and other relevant topics.