The 2008 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 2008, there will be 1,437,180 new cancer cases and 565,650 cancer deaths. Notable trends include stabilization of incidence rates for all cancer sites combined in men from 1995 to 2004 and in women from 1999 to 2004, and a continued decrease in cancer death rates since 1990 in men and since 1991 in women. Overall, cancer death rates decreased by 18.4% in men and 10.5% in women from 1990/1991 to 2004, resulting in over half a million cancer deaths averted. The report also examines cancer incidence, mortality, and survival by site, sex, race/ethnicity, education, geographic area, and calendar year. Despite progress in reducing mortality rates, stabilizing incidence rates, and improving survival, cancer remains a leading cause of death, particularly in individuals under 85 years old. The report highlights the need for continued support of new discoveries and the application of existing cancer control knowledge to accelerate progress.The 2008 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 2008, there will be 1,437,180 new cancer cases and 565,650 cancer deaths. Notable trends include stabilization of incidence rates for all cancer sites combined in men from 1995 to 2004 and in women from 1999 to 2004, and a continued decrease in cancer death rates since 1990 in men and since 1991 in women. Overall, cancer death rates decreased by 18.4% in men and 10.5% in women from 1990/1991 to 2004, resulting in over half a million cancer deaths averted. The report also examines cancer incidence, mortality, and survival by site, sex, race/ethnicity, education, geographic area, and calendar year. Despite progress in reducing mortality rates, stabilizing incidence rates, and improving survival, cancer remains a leading cause of death, particularly in individuals under 85 years old. The report highlights the need for continued support of new discoveries and the application of existing cancer control knowledge to accelerate progress.