The fight against cancer just marked a significant milestone: the American Cancer Society (ACS) report for 2026 reveals survival rates have hit a historic high. The ACS report states 70% of those diagnosed with cancer now live at least five years post-diagnosis, which reflects substantial progress in detection, treatment, and lifestyle changes such as reduced smoking rates, according to Click2Houston.
Survival rates have seen remarkable improvements in several cancer types, including myeloma, with survival jumping from 32% to 62%. Liver cancer follows a close second, ascending from 7% chance of survival to 22%. In a statement obtained by Scientific American, Rebecca Siegel, ACS’s senior scientific director, attributes these leaps forward to research breakthroughs that are " turning many cancers from a death sentence into a chronic disease."
There's still cause for concern, as the ACS report projects over two million new cancer cases in 2026. William Dahut, ACS’s chief scientific officer, highlighted during a press call the continued need for aggressive research and development to ensure that the significant strides already made are not only maintained but built upon. These gains are threatened, however, by potential cuts to federal funding for cancer research. A Senate minority report cited by Scientific American indicates a 31% decrease in National Cancer Institute grant funding, just in the first quarter of 2025.
The report doesn’t shy away from shedding light on ongoing health disparities either. Native Americans are facing some of the highest mortality rates, and access to quality healthcare remains unequal across various communities. "The five-year survival milestone is a stunning victory," Siegel told Click2Houston, but she acknowledged that threats, like decreased research funding and the challenges of healthcare access, could hamper further advancement.
Dahut also stresses that people with metastatic cancer are now living for extended periods – a direct result of targeted therapies and the evolution of understanding the cancer genome. These advancements make the funding concerns particularly poignant at a time when there are still many cancers – such as breast, prostate, liver, melanoma, pancreas, and uterine – that continue to see a rise in incidence. The full ACS report detailing these findings and more can be accessed through the organization's website.
