Chapter

Progress Is Real, But Uneven

From Cancer in 2026: How Immunotherapy Is Reshaping the Odds - Cancer Research Institute by Samik Upadhaya, PhD

Concepts

1. Cancer Progress

   "From 1991 to 2023, the cancer death rate declined by 34%, translating to an estimated 4.8 million deaths averted. This progress stems from a variety of factors, including reduced smoking, earlier det

2. Young Adults

   "Young adults face rising cancer rates. Colorectal cancer incidence is increasing 2.9% per year in people under 50, even as overall rates declined 0.9% per year over the past decade due to screening a

3. Geographic Gaps

   "Geographic gaps are widening. Cancer death rates range from 122 per 100,000 (UT, HI) to 180 (KY) – a 48% gap driven largely by lung cancer and mirrors smoking prevalence. Cervical cancer incidence va

4. Health Inequities

   "Racial and ethnic inequities persist – driven by systemic barriers. The report emphasizes certain disparities that stem from a “higher prevalence of risk factors, medical mistrust, and lack of insura