Cancer statistics
Cancer 5-year survival rates (U.S.)
TL;DR: Five-year relative survival averages 64% across the 22 cancers we track. For 9 of them, more than 70% of patients are alive 5 years after diagnosis. Rates have broadly improved over the last three decades as earlier detection, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have become standard.
Source: NCI SEER Cancer Stat Facts · Data year 2025
By cancer type, highest to lowest
What does "5-year relative survival" mean?
The 5-year relative survival rate is the percentage of people with a cancer who are alive 5 years after diagnosis, compared to people without the cancer of the same age and background. It accounts for deaths from causes other than cancer.
Important: this is a population average. It is not a prediction for you personally. Your specific prognosis depends on your cancer's subtype, stage at diagnosis, biomarkers, age, overall health, and how well treatment works for you. Your oncologist is the only person who can give you a personalized estimate based on your individual situation.
Why have survival rates improved?
- Earlier detection. Screening programs for breast, colorectal, cervical, and lung cancer catch more cancers at earlier, more curable stages.
- Targeted therapy. Drugs matched to specific genetic mutations (HER2, EGFR, BRAF, BRCA, ALK, and many more) have transformed outcomes in specific cancer subtypes.
- Immunotherapy. Checkpoint inhibitors have produced durable remissions in melanoma, lung cancer, and other cancers that historically had poor prognoses.
- Surgical and radiation advances. Less invasive surgery and more precise radiation (proton therapy, SBRT) reduce harm while improving cancer control.
Why do some cancers still have lower survival rates?
Cancers that are typically found late (pancreatic, liver, stomach, esophageal) or that have fewer effective treatments have lower 5-year survival. Clinical trials in these areas are often the most important path to better outcomes. Browse active recruiting trials by cancer type.