Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.¹ Healthy People 2030 focuses on promoting evidence-based cancer screening and prevention strategies — and on improving care and survivorship for people with cancer.

The cancer death rate has declined in recent decades, but over 600,000 people still die from cancer each year in the United States.² Death rates are higher for some cancers and in some racial/ethnic minority groups. These disparities are often linked to social determinants of health, including education, economic status, and access to health care.³

Interventions to promote evidence-based cancer screenings — such as screenings for lung, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer — can help reduce cancer deaths.⁴ Other effective prevention strategies include programs that increase HPV vaccine use, prevent tobacco use and promote quitting, and promote healthy eating and physical activity.⁵ In addition, effective targeted therapies and personalized treatment⁶ are key to helping people with cancer live longer.