In 2002, the American Cancer Society estimated that 1,284,900 new cancer cases and 555,500 cancer deaths would occur in the United States. Cancer incidence and mortality rates were age-adjusted to the 1970 US standard population. From 1992 to 1998, cancer death rates declined in both males and females, with African-American men showing the largest decline. However, African Americans still had the highest cancer burden due to later-stage diagnoses and poorer survival. Despite declining death rates, the total number of cancer deaths continued to increase slightly due to an aging population. Cancer remains a major public health issue in the US and other developed countries, causing one in four deaths. The American Cancer Society provides updated statistics on cancer frequency, incidence, mortality, and survival for 2002. Data sources include the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Mortality data were classified using ICD-10, replacing ICD-9 for 1979-1998. The estimated number of new cancer cases in 2002 was 1,284,900, excluding certain skin cancers and in situ carcinomas. Prostate cancer incidence showed a complex trend, and estimates were adjusted based on historical data. Cancer deaths in 2002 were estimated using autoregressive quadratic models. The most common cancer sites for men and women were prostate, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum. Lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women since 1987. Cancer survival rates varied by race and sex, with African Americans having lower survival rates. Survival rates have improved over time for many cancer sites, but some cancers, such as uterine cervix, larynx, and oral cavity, have not seen significant improvements. Childhood cancer survival rates have also improved significantly over the past 25 years. Despite limitations in the data, the American Cancer Society's estimates provide insight into current cancer trends and help in efforts to reduce the public health burden of cancer. The data highlights the importance of continued research and public health initiatives to combat cancer.In 2002, the American Cancer Society estimated that 1,284,900 new cancer cases and 555,500 cancer deaths would occur in the United States. Cancer incidence and mortality rates were age-adjusted to the 1970 US standard population. From 1992 to 1998, cancer death rates declined in both males and females, with African-American men showing the largest decline. However, African Americans still had the highest cancer burden due to later-stage diagnoses and poorer survival. Despite declining death rates, the total number of cancer deaths continued to increase slightly due to an aging population. Cancer remains a major public health issue in the US and other developed countries, causing one in four deaths. The American Cancer Society provides updated statistics on cancer frequency, incidence, mortality, and survival for 2002. Data sources include the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Mortality data were classified using ICD-10, replacing ICD-9 for 1979-1998. The estimated number of new cancer cases in 2002 was 1,284,900, excluding certain skin cancers and in situ carcinomas. Prostate cancer incidence showed a complex trend, and estimates were adjusted based on historical data. Cancer deaths in 2002 were estimated using autoregressive quadratic models. The most common cancer sites for men and women were prostate, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum. Lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women since 1987. Cancer survival rates varied by race and sex, with African Americans having lower survival rates. Survival rates have improved over time for many cancer sites, but some cancers, such as uterine cervix, larynx, and oral cavity, have not seen significant improvements. Childhood cancer survival rates have also improved significantly over the past 25 years. Despite limitations in the data, the American Cancer Society's estimates provide insight into current cancer trends and help in efforts to reduce the public health burden of cancer. The data highlights the importance of continued research and public health initiatives to combat cancer.