Cancer Cases (Incidence) in the U.S. (2026)

Based on the latest estimates from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics, 2026 report, here are the top 30 cancer types in the United States ranked by both projected new cases and deaths. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, while prostate and breast cancers are the most commonly diagnosed.

📈 Top 30 Cancer Types by Estimated New Cases (2026)

The following table ranks cancer types by the projected number of new cases for 2026. The data is based on estimates from the American Cancer Society.

Rank	Cancer Site	Estimated New Cases (2026)	% of All New Cases
1	Prostate cancer	333,830	31% (of male cases)
2	Breast cancer (Female)	321,910	32% (of female cases)
3	Lung & Bronchus cancer	229,410	10% (male) / 12% (female)
4	Colon & Rectum cancer	158,850	8% (male) / 7% (female)
5	Melanoma of the Skin	112,000	6% (male) / 5% (female)
6	Urinary Bladder cancer	84,530	6% (male)
7	Kidney & Renal Pelvis cancer	80,450	5% (male) / 3% (female)
8	Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma	79,320	4% (male) / 3% (female)
9	Uterine Corpus cancer	68,270	7% (of female cases)
10	Leukemia	67,790	4% (male) / 3% (female)
11	Pancreatic cancer	67,530	3% (male) / 3% (female)
12	Thyroid cancer	45,240	3% (of female cases)
13	Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct cancer	43,290	–
14	Oral Cavity & Pharynx cancer	42,800	4% (male)
15	Myeloma cancer	36,230	–
16	Stomach cancer	31,510	–
17	Brain cancer & Other Nervous System	24,810	–
18	Esophagus cancer	22,530	–
19	Ovarian cancer	20,890	–
20	Testicular cancer	9,930	–
21	Small Intestine	14,450	–
22	Anus, Anal Canal, & Anorectum cancer	~10,540	–
23	Larynx cancer	~13,430	–
24	Vulva cancer	~5,120	–
25	Cervix Uteri cancer	~13,820	–
26	Vagina cancer	~1,780	–
27	Hodgkin Lymphoma	~8,830	–
28	Soft Tissue (including Heart)	~13,000	–
29	Bones & Joints cancer	~3,970	–
30	Eye & Orbit cancer	~3,590	–

Key Points:

• Prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers together account for nearly 50% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.
• In men, prostate cancer alone accounts for 31% of all new diagnoses.
• In women, breast cancer is the most common, accounting for 32% of new cases.

⚰️ Top 30 Cancer Types by Estimated Deaths (2026)

The following table ranks cancer types by the projected number of deaths for 2026, according to the American Cancer Society.

Rank	Cancer Site	Estimated Deaths (2026)	% of All Cancer Deaths
1	Lung cancer & Bronchus	124,990	19% (male) / 21% (female)
2	Colon & Rectum cancer	55,230	9% (male) / 9% (female)
3	Pancreatic cancer	52,740	8% (male) / 9% (female)
4	Breast cancer	42,670	14% (of female deaths)
5	Prostate cancer	36,320	11% (of male deaths)
6	Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct	28,900	–
7	Leukemia	23,710	–
8	Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma	19,790	–
9	Brain cancer& Other Nervous System	18,760	–
10	Esophageal cancer	17,460	–
11	Urinary Bladder	17,290	–
12	Kidney cancer & Renal Pelvis	14,970	–
13	Myeloma	12,880	–
14	Stomach cancer	10,740	–
15	Ovarian cancer	~12,730	–
16	Uterine Corpus cancer	~13,260	–
17	Oral Cavity & Pharynx	13,150	–
18	Thyroid cancer	~2,320	–
19	Melanoma of the Skin	~8,430	–
20	Cervix Uteri cancer	~4,360	–
21	Small Intestine cancer	2,170	–
22	Larynx cancer	~3,880	–
23	Multiple Myeloma cancer	~12,880	–
24	Soft Tissue (including Heart)	~5,200	–
25	Anus, Anal Canal, & Anorectum cancer	~1,320	–
26	Vulva cancer	~1,340	–
27	Hodgkin Lymphoma	~1,150	–
28	Testis	~490	–
29	Bones cancer& Joints	~2,140	–
30	Eye & Orbit cancer	~490	–

Key Points:

• Lung and bronchus cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., responsible for about 20% of all cancer deaths.
• Lung, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers are responsible for nearly 50% of all cancer deaths.
• The overall cancer mortality rate has declined by 34% since 1991, largely due to reductions in smoking, earlier detection, and improved treatments.

📝 Summary

This data, based on the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics, 2026 report, highlights the most significant cancer burdens in the United States. While incidence is dominated by prostate and breast cancers, mortality is overwhelmingly driven by lung cancer. The continued decline in overall cancer death rates reflects decades of progress in prevention, screening, and treatment.

For the most current and detailed cancer statistics, including historical trends and demographic breakdowns, the following sources are authoritative:

• American Cancer Society (ACS): Publishes the annual “Cancer Statistics” report and “Cancer Facts & Figures.”
• National Cancer Institute (NCI) SEER Program: Provides population-based cancer statistics.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Publishes the official federal statistics on cancer incidence and mortality.