Health & Wellness

Most Common Types of Cancer

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Source:Community curated
Updated:4/9/2026
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Cancer
Organ/System
Annual US Cases (approx)
5-Year Survival (US)
Key Risk Factors
Known For
Breast Cancer
Breast300,00091 percentAge, family history, BRCA mutations, hormone exposureMost common cancer in women; pink ribbon campaign; mammography screening
Lung Cancer
Lungs235,00025 percentSmoking, radon, asbestos, air pollutionLeading cause of cancer death in US; smoking causes 80-90 percent of cases
Prostate Cancer
Prostate290,00097 percentAge, family history, African American ancestryMost common cancer in men; often slow-growing; PSA screening controversy
Colorectal Cancer
Colon and rectum150,00065 percentAge, diet, inflammatory bowel disease, family historyRising in young adults; colonoscopy screening highly effective
Melanoma
Skin100,00094 percentUV exposure, fair skin, moles, family historyMost deadly skin cancer; ABCDE rule for mole changes; immunotherapy breakthrough
Bladder Cancer
Bladder82,00077 percentSmoking, chemical exposure, chronic infectionOften recurrent; painless blood in urine is classic sign
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Lymphatic system80,00074 percentImmunosuppression, certain infections, ageHeterogeneous group; dozens of subtypes; CAR-T therapy milestone
Kidney Cancer
Kidneys82,00078 percentSmoking, obesity, hypertensionOften found incidentally on imaging; immunotherapy responsive
Endometrial Cancer
Uterine lining66,00081 percentObesity, hormone exposure, Lynch syndromeMost common gynecologic cancer in US; abnormal bleeding is key symptom
Leukemia
Blood and bone marrow60,00065 percentRadiation, genetic syndromes, benzene exposureIncludes AML, CLL, ALL, CML; childhood ALL now over 90 percent cure rate
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreas64,00012 percentSmoking, diabetes, family history, obesityLowest survival rate of major cancers; often diagnosed late
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid gland44,00098 percentRadiation exposure, family history, femaleExcellent prognosis; rising incidence due to better detection
Liver Cancer
Liver41,00021 percentHepatitis B/C, alcohol, fatty liver diseaseRising in US; hepatitis B vaccine prevents many cases
Ovarian Cancer
Ovaries20,00050 percentBRCA mutations, family history, ageSilent killer; vague symptoms lead to late diagnosis
Stomach Cancer
Stomach27,00035 percentH. pylori infection, diet, smokingCommon worldwide, especially East Asia; H. pylori eradication prevents cases
Brain Cancer (Glioblastoma)
Brain25,000 all CNS7 percent (GBM)Radiation exposure, genetic syndromesGlioblastoma took John McCain and Beau Biden; famously poor prognosis

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