In 2003, the American Cancer Society estimated that 1,334,100 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States, with 556,500 deaths expected. Age-adjusted cancer death rates declined in both males and females during the 1990s, with a larger decline in males. However, incidence rates continued to rise in females while stabilizing in males. African-American males showed the largest decline in mortality, but African Americans still face the highest cancer burden due to later diagnosis and poorer survival. Despite declining death rates, the total number of cancer deaths continues to increase slightly due to an aging and growing population. The study used data from the National Cancer Institute (SEER) and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to estimate cancer cases and deaths. Incidence and mortality rates were age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. Prostate cancer incidence showed a complex trend, and the study adjusted for PSA screening impacts. Cancer deaths were estimated using death certificate data. The most common cancers in 2003 were prostate, lung, and colon/rectum in men, and breast, lung, and colon/rectum in women. Lung cancer became the leading cause of cancer death in women in 1987 and was expected to account for 25% of female cancer deaths in 2003. Cancer survival rates varied by race and ethnicity, with African Americans having lower survival rates due to factors like delayed diagnosis and differences in healthcare access. Cancer incidence and mortality rates varied significantly among racial and ethnic groups, with African Americans having the highest rates. Survival rates for African Americans were generally lower than for Whites, though recent studies suggest that equal healthcare access can lead to similar outcomes. Survival rates for many cancer types have improved over time, particularly for childhood cancers. The study acknowledges limitations in its estimates, including potential variations for less common cancers and states with smaller populations. Despite these limitations, the estimates provide insights into current cancer trends and help guide efforts to reduce the public health burden of cancer.In 2003, the American Cancer Society estimated that 1,334,100 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States, with 556,500 deaths expected. Age-adjusted cancer death rates declined in both males and females during the 1990s, with a larger decline in males. However, incidence rates continued to rise in females while stabilizing in males. African-American males showed the largest decline in mortality, but African Americans still face the highest cancer burden due to later diagnosis and poorer survival. Despite declining death rates, the total number of cancer deaths continues to increase slightly due to an aging and growing population. The study used data from the National Cancer Institute (SEER) and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to estimate cancer cases and deaths. Incidence and mortality rates were age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. Prostate cancer incidence showed a complex trend, and the study adjusted for PSA screening impacts. Cancer deaths were estimated using death certificate data. The most common cancers in 2003 were prostate, lung, and colon/rectum in men, and breast, lung, and colon/rectum in women. Lung cancer became the leading cause of cancer death in women in 1987 and was expected to account for 25% of female cancer deaths in 2003. Cancer survival rates varied by race and ethnicity, with African Americans having lower survival rates due to factors like delayed diagnosis and differences in healthcare access. Cancer incidence and mortality rates varied significantly among racial and ethnic groups, with African Americans having the highest rates. Survival rates for African Americans were generally lower than for Whites, though recent studies suggest that equal healthcare access can lead to similar outcomes. Survival rates for many cancer types have improved over time, particularly for childhood cancers. The study acknowledges limitations in its estimates, including potential variations for less common cancers and states with smaller populations. Despite these limitations, the estimates provide insights into current cancer trends and help guide efforts to reduce the public health burden of cancer.