The article provides an overview of cancer statistics in the United States for 2005, including incidence, mortality, and survival rates. It estimates that there will be 1,372,910 new cancer cases and 570,280 deaths in 2005. Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death for those under 85 since 1999. Incidence rates stabilized in men from 1995 to 2001 but continued to increase in women from 1987 to 2001. Death rates from all cancers combined have decreased by 1.5% annually in men and 0.8% annually in women since 1993 and 1992, respectively. Lung cancer mortality among women has leveled off after decades of increase. African American men and women have higher death rates from all cancers combined compared to White men and women. Cancer incidence and death rates are lower in other racial and ethnic groups but higher for stomach, liver, and cervical cancers. Minority populations are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. The article also discusses trends in cancer incidence and mortality by race and ethnicity, and highlights improvements in 5-year relative survival rates for common cancer sites.The article provides an overview of cancer statistics in the United States for 2005, including incidence, mortality, and survival rates. It estimates that there will be 1,372,910 new cancer cases and 570,280 deaths in 2005. Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death for those under 85 since 1999. Incidence rates stabilized in men from 1995 to 2001 but continued to increase in women from 1987 to 2001. Death rates from all cancers combined have decreased by 1.5% annually in men and 0.8% annually in women since 1993 and 1992, respectively. Lung cancer mortality among women has leveled off after decades of increase. African American men and women have higher death rates from all cancers combined compared to White men and women. Cancer incidence and death rates are lower in other racial and ethnic groups but higher for stomach, liver, and cervical cancers. Minority populations are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. The article also discusses trends in cancer incidence and mortality by race and ethnicity, and highlights improvements in 5-year relative survival rates for common cancer sites.