Cancer mortality statistics show how projected deaths, population death rates, and relative survival differ across cancer types. The following figures are 2026 U.S. projections from the SEER Common Cancer Sites source. They are estimates for that year, not a count of completed 2026 deaths.
Table of contents
- How to read these statistics
- Cancer types with the largest projected death counts
- Projected mortality and relative survival
- Additional cancer mortality estimates
- Cancer mortality statistics among women
- Less common cancers in the projection
How to read these statistics
Each entry combines three measures for the United States in 2026: projected deaths, the death rate per 100,000 people, and five-year relative survival. The death count describes the projected number of deaths. The rate provides population context, while relative survival compares survival among people with cancer with survival expected in a comparable general population.
These measures answer different questions. A cancer can have a large projected death count because it affects many people, even when its rate is not the highest in the list. Relative survival is also not the same as the chance that a particular person will survive; it is a population-level measure associated with a cancer type and the source’s reporting period.
The SEER Common Cancer Sites figures are projections for 2026. Caregivers can use them as broad context when reading cancer information, but an individual outlook depends on factors not listed here, such as diagnosis details and treatment circumstances. These statistics do not replace a conversation with a medical team.
Cancer types with the largest projected death counts
Among the cancer types listed, lung and bronchus cancer has the largest projected U.S. death count for 2026: 124,990 deaths. Its projected death rate is 30.2 per 100,000, and its relative survival is 29.5% (SEER Common Cancer Sites).
Colorectal cancer is projected to cause 55,230 deaths, with a death rate of 12.7 per 100,000 and relative survival of 65.4%. Pancreatic cancer is projected to cause 52,740 deaths, with an 11.3 rate and 13.7% relative survival. These three entries illustrate why death counts and survival percentages should be read together: the projected counts are similar for colorectal and pancreatic cancer, while their relative survival figures differ substantially.
Breast cancer is projected to cause 42,670 deaths, with a 10.4 death rate and 91.9% relative survival. Prostate cancer is projected to cause 36,320 deaths; its projected death rate is 18.9 per 100,000, and its relative survival is 98.2%.
The next projected death counts are 30,980 for liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer, 23,910 for leukemia, 19,970 for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 18,350 for brain and other nervous system cancers. Their corresponding rates and relative survival figures are shown below.
| Cancer type | Projected 2026 deaths | Death rate per 100,000 | Relative survival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung and bronchus | 124,990 | 30.2 | 29.5% |
| Colorectal | 55,230 | 12.7 | 65.4% |
| Pancreatic | 52,740 | 11.3 | 13.7% |
| Breast | 42,670 | 10.4 | 91.9% |
| Prostate | 36,320 | 18.9 | 98.2% |
| Liver and intrahepatic bile duct | 30,980 | 6.6 | 21.9% |
| Leukemia | 23,910 | 5.7 | 68.6% |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | 19,970 | 4.8 | 74.3% |
| Brain and other nervous system | 18,350 | 4.4 | 32.9% |
Projected mortality and relative survival
Bladder cancer is projected to cause 17,870 deaths, with a 4.1 death rate and 79.1% relative survival. Esophageal cancer is projected to cause 16,290 deaths, with a 3.7 rate and 22.2% relative survival. Kidney and renal pelvis cancer is projected to cause 15,160 deaths, with a 3.4 rate and 79.2% relative survival.
The projection for uterine cancer is 14,450 deaths, with a 5.4 rate and 80.9% relative survival. Oral cavity and pharynx cancer is projected at 13,150 deaths, with a 2.7 rate and 69.9% relative survival. Ovarian cancer is projected at 12,450 deaths, with a 5.7 rate and 52.0% relative survival.
Myeloma is projected to cause 10,850 deaths, with a 2.8 death rate and 63.7% relative survival. Stomach cancer is projected to cause 10,740 deaths, with a 2.7 rate and 39.8% relative survival. Melanoma of the skin is projected to cause 8,510 deaths, with a 2.0 rate and 94.7% relative survival. All of these figures are 2026 U.S. projections from the SEER Common Cancer Sites source.
The relationship between a death rate and a death count is not interchangeable. In the listed figures, prostate cancer has a projected death rate of 18.9 per 100,000, while its projected death count is 36,320. Lung and bronchus cancer has both a higher projected count of 124,990 and a higher projected rate of 30.2. For caregivers, keeping the measure named in view helps prevent a population statistic from being mistaken for an individual prediction.
Additional cancer mortality estimates
Several cancers in the 2026 projection have smaller death counts but still distinct reported rates and survival measures. Laryngeal cancer is projected to cause 3,960 deaths, with a 0.9 death rate and 62.5% relative survival. Thyroid cancer is projected to cause 2,320 deaths, with a 0.5 rate and 98.3% relative survival. Bone and joint cancers are projected to cause 2,210 deaths, with a 0.5 rate and 68.7% relative survival.
Small intestine cancer is projected to cause 2,170 deaths, with a 0.5 rate and 71.8% relative survival. Vulvar cancer is projected to cause 1,750 deaths, with a 0.6 rate and 69.7% relative survival. Anal cancer is projected to cause 1,700 deaths, with a 0.4 rate and 70.9% relative survival.
Hodgkin lymphoma is projected to cause 1,100 deaths, with a 0.2 rate and 89.3% relative survival. Testicular cancer is projected to cause 630 deaths, with a 0.3 rate and 94.6% relative survival. These figures remain population projections for the United States in 2026; they do not describe the experience of every patient or family.
Cancer mortality statistics among women
The SEER Common Cancer Sites source also provides 2026 projections among women. Lung and bronchus cancer is projected to cause 61,950 deaths among women, with a 26.2 death rate and 34.1% relative survival. Breast cancer is projected to cause 42,140 deaths, with an 18.9 rate and 91.9% relative survival. Colorectal cancer is projected to cause 25,120 deaths, with a 10.7 rate and 66.5% relative survival.
Among women, pancreas cancer is projected to cause 25,510 deaths, with a 9.9 rate and 14.0% relative survival. Uterine cancer is projected to cause 14,450 deaths, with a 5.4 rate and 80.9% relative survival. Ovarian cancer is projected to cause 12,450 deaths, with a 5.7 rate and 52.0% relative survival. Liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer is projected to cause 11,330 deaths, with a 4.3 rate and 22.3% relative survival.
| Cancer type among women | Projected 2026 deaths | Death rate per 100,000 | Relative survival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung and bronchus | 61,950 | 26.2 | 34.1% |
| Breast | 42,140 | 18.9 | 91.9% |
| Pancreas | 25,510 | 9.9 | 14.0% |
| Colorectal | 25,120 | 10.7 | 66.5% |
| Uterine | 14,450 | 5.4 | 80.9% |
| Ovarian | 12,450 | 5.7 | 52.0% |
| Liver and intrahepatic bile duct | 11,330 | 4.3 | 22.3% |
| Leukemia | 10,010 | 4.3 | 68.8% |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | 8,260 | 3.6 | 76.2% |
| Brain and other nervous system | 8,380 | 3.6 | 34.9% |
Other projected 2026 figures among women include 10,010 deaths from leukemia, with a 4.3 rate and 68.8% relative survival; 8,380 deaths from brain and other nervous system cancers, with a 3.6 rate and 34.9% relative survival; and 8,260 deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with a 3.6 rate and 76.2% relative survival.
Among women, bladder cancer is projected to cause 5,230 deaths, with a 2.0 rate and 75.0% relative survival. Kidney and renal pelvis cancer is projected to cause 4,960 deaths, with a 2.1 rate and 80.4% relative survival. Stomach cancer is projected to cause 4,380 deaths, with a 2.0 rate and 45.4% relative survival, while cervical cancer is projected to cause 4,200 deaths, with a 2.1 rate and 68.8% relative survival.
Melanoma of the skin is projected to cause 3,010 deaths among women, with a 1.3 rate and 96.0% relative survival. Esophageal cancer is projected to cause 3,350 deaths, with a 1.4 rate and 24.2% relative survival. Oral cavity and pharynx cancer is projected to cause 3,730 deaths, with a 1.4 rate and 71.1% relative survival.
Less common cancers in the projection
The 2026 projection includes smaller female death counts for several cancer types. Laryngeal cancer is projected to cause 780 deaths among women, with a 0.3 death rate and 59.6% relative survival. Bone and joint cancers are projected to cause 970 deaths, with a 0.4 rate and 70.7% relative survival. Anal cancer is projected to cause 1,130 deaths, with a 0.4 rate and 74.5% relative survival.
Thyroid cancer is projected to cause 1,220 deaths among women, with a 0.5 rate and 99.0% relative survival. Vulvar cancer is projected to cause 1,750 deaths, with a 0.6 rate and 69.7% relative survival. Small intestine cancer is not included in the listed women-specific figures, so no women-specific estimate is stated here.
Hodgkin lymphoma is projected to cause 420 deaths among women, with a 0.2 death rate and 91.0% relative survival. The women-specific estimates for ovarian, uterine, and vulvar cancer are 12,450 deaths, 14,450 deaths, and 1,750 deaths, respectively. These statistics provide a structured view of projected population burden, while caregivers and patients need individualized information from the treating clinical team.
All source labels in this article refer to the SEER Common Cancer Sites source and the 2026 U.S. projection period.