The 2006 Cancer Statistics report by the American Cancer Society provides an overview of cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates in the United States. The report estimates that in 2006, there will be 1,399,790 new cancer cases and 564,800 cancer deaths in the country. Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death for those under 85 since 1999. Delay-adjusted cancer incidence rates stabilized in men from 1995 to 2002 but continued to increase in women from 1987 to 2002. Between 2002 and 2003, the total number of cancer deaths decreased by 369, the first decrease since 1930. Death rates from all cancers combined have decreased by 1.5% annually for men and 0.8% annually for women since 1993 and 1992, respectively. Lung cancer mortality among women continues to slightly 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 report also highlights regional variations in cancer rates, with lung cancer incidence rates varying widely across states. Trends in cancer incidence and mortality are mixed, with lung cancer incidence rates declining in men and leveling off in women, while colorectal cancer incidence rates have decreased in both genders. The report emphasizes the need to apply existing cancer control knowledge to reduce the burden of suffering and death from cancer.The 2006 Cancer Statistics report by the American Cancer Society provides an overview of cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates in the United States. The report estimates that in 2006, there will be 1,399,790 new cancer cases and 564,800 cancer deaths in the country. Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death for those under 85 since 1999. Delay-adjusted cancer incidence rates stabilized in men from 1995 to 2002 but continued to increase in women from 1987 to 2002. Between 2002 and 2003, the total number of cancer deaths decreased by 369, the first decrease since 1930. Death rates from all cancers combined have decreased by 1.5% annually for men and 0.8% annually for women since 1993 and 1992, respectively. Lung cancer mortality among women continues to slightly 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 report also highlights regional variations in cancer rates, with lung cancer incidence rates varying widely across states. Trends in cancer incidence and mortality are mixed, with lung cancer incidence rates declining in men and leveling off in women, while colorectal cancer incidence rates have decreased in both genders. The report emphasizes the need to apply existing cancer control knowledge to reduce the burden of suffering and death from cancer.