In America

• Cancer is the second leading cause of death.
• 1 out of every 4 deaths is due to cancer.
• 1 out of every 2 men will develop cancer. 
• 1 out of every 3 women will develop cancer.
• 10 million people currently live with cancer.
• 570,000 people died of cancer in 2005.
• 1500 people die every day from cancer.

Worldwide in 2002

• 11 million people developed cancer.
• 7 million people died from the disease.
• 25 million people were living with cancer.

The real toll of cancer is measured in the emotional and physical pain, the lost dreams, the inability of kids to be kids, the parents who will never see their children grow up, the worrying, the stress, the fragmented marriages… 

The economic toll of cancer

According to estimates by the National Institute of Health cancer cost 210 billion in 2005 in the U.S. This figure includes $74 billion in direct medical costs, $17.5 billion due to lost wages and productivity, and $118.4 billion in lost productivity and wages due to premature death.

Cancer statistics

American Cancer Society Cancer statistics  [1.7MB PDF]

NCI cancer statistics

CDC cancer statistics