Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
What a remarkable time we live in. After decades of research, prevention and increased detection, we are now seeing an increase in the survival rates of people with cancer. A recent report stated that 70 percent of people with cancer will survive five years or more from their diagnosis date. That is stunning considering the odds 20 years ago.
This is indeed a change from a 49 percent survival rate in the 1970’s to a 64 percent survival rate in the late 1990’s, to 70 percent survival rates seen in the 2015 to 2020’s.
This crucial information is balanced by data that indicates that more people will be diagnosed with cancer this year than ever before. There were 2,014,910 new cancer diagnoses in 2025, with 618,120 deaths. It is predicted that there will be 2,114,850 new cancer cases in 2026, with 626,140 deaths. This equates to a 3.5 percent increase in cancer cases and a 1.3 percent uptick in deaths.
The highest survival rates have been seen in cancers of the thyroid and prostate at 98 percent, followed by cancers of the testicles and melanomas at 95 percent.
The lowest survival rates are seen in cancers of the lung at 28 percent, liver at 22 percent, esophagus at 22 percent and pancreas at 13 percent. Notably, there has been an increase in the survival rate of lung cancer when comparing 1990 to the present.
That being said, though, lung cancer will claim more cancer deaths than any other cancer at 124,990. Lung will be followed by colorectal at 55,230 and pancreatic cancer at 52,740 deaths, respectively.
Uterine cancer rates have stabilized in White women but have been increasing in other ethnic groups by two percent or more a year.
We are seeing a decline in prostate cancer mortality. That decline has stagnated from 2012 to 2023. Also, death rates from prostate cancer are two to four times higher in African American men than in any other group of men.
So, how can we improve things? Decreasing the number of people who smoke anything. This is happening. Also, we should be more aggressive in testing those who have smoked.
We are seeing an increase in young people with colon cancer. The age for the first colonoscopy has been lowered to 45 years old. It is vital to screen people.
The oncologists are worried as they are seeing an increase in common cancers such as breast, prostate, liver cancer in women, melanoma in women, oral cavity cancer from HPV, pancreas, and uterine cancer, even as we see less mortality from these cancers. This highlights the fact that we have not yet controlled cancer incidence.
Get your screening test when it is due and report any changes from your normal condition to your healthcare provider.
We are still in the fight.
Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.
