The 2004 Cancer Statistics report estimates that 1,368,030 new cancer cases and 563,700 deaths will occur in the United States in 2004. Cancer incidence rates stabilized among men from 1995 to 2000 but increased by 0.4% annually among women from 1987 to 2000. Mortality rates decreased by 1.5% annually among men since 1992 but stabilized among women from 1998 to 2000. Cancer death rates continued to decline for major cancer sites in both men and women. African-American men and women had 40% and 20% higher cancer death rates than White men and women, respectively. Cancer incidence and mortality rates are lower in other racial and ethnic groups than in Whites and African Americans for all sites combined and for the four major cancer sites. However, these groups generally have higher rates for stomach, liver, and cervical cancers than Whites. Minority populations are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease than Whites. Progress in reducing the cancer burden can be accelerated by applying existing cancer control knowledge into practice among all segments of the population. The report provides data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates for 2004, including the most common cancer types and their expected numbers of new cases and deaths. It also discusses trends in cancer incidence and mortality rates, the lifetime probability of developing cancer, and cancer survival rates by race. The report highlights disparities in cancer outcomes among racial and ethnic groups, with African Americans having lower survival rates than Whites. The report also discusses cancer in children, noting that cancer is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 14 years in the United States. The report concludes that while estimates of cancer cases and deaths should be interpreted with caution, they provide valuable insights into current cancer patterns in the United States. The report also acknowledges the limitations of the estimates and the challenges in tracking cancer trends over time.The 2004 Cancer Statistics report estimates that 1,368,030 new cancer cases and 563,700 deaths will occur in the United States in 2004. Cancer incidence rates stabilized among men from 1995 to 2000 but increased by 0.4% annually among women from 1987 to 2000. Mortality rates decreased by 1.5% annually among men since 1992 but stabilized among women from 1998 to 2000. Cancer death rates continued to decline for major cancer sites in both men and women. African-American men and women had 40% and 20% higher cancer death rates than White men and women, respectively. Cancer incidence and mortality rates are lower in other racial and ethnic groups than in Whites and African Americans for all sites combined and for the four major cancer sites. However, these groups generally have higher rates for stomach, liver, and cervical cancers than Whites. Minority populations are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease than Whites. Progress in reducing the cancer burden can be accelerated by applying existing cancer control knowledge into practice among all segments of the population. The report provides data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates for 2004, including the most common cancer types and their expected numbers of new cases and deaths. It also discusses trends in cancer incidence and mortality rates, the lifetime probability of developing cancer, and cancer survival rates by race. The report highlights disparities in cancer outcomes among racial and ethnic groups, with African Americans having lower survival rates than Whites. The report also discusses cancer in children, noting that cancer is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 14 years in the United States. The report concludes that while estimates of cancer cases and deaths should be interpreted with caution, they provide valuable insights into current cancer patterns in the United States. The report also acknowledges the limitations of the estimates and the challenges in tracking cancer trends over time.