The 2009 Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer provides an overview of cancer statistics in the United States, including incidence, mortality, and survival rates. The report estimates that in 2009, there will be 1,479,350 new cancer cases and 562,340 cancer deaths in the U.S. Overall cancer incidence rates have decreased in both men (1.8% per year from 2001 to 2005) and women (0.6% per year from 1998 to 2005), primarily due to decreases in major cancer sites such as lung, prostate, breast, and colorectum. Overall cancer death rates have also decreased, with a 19.2% decline in men between 1990 and 2005 and a 11.4% decline in women between 1991 and 2005. These reductions have resulted in the avoidance of about 650,000 cancer deaths over a 15-year period. The report examines cancer incidence, mortality, and survival by site, sex, race/ethnicity, education, geographic area, and calendar year. Despite progress in reducing incidence and mortality 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 efforts to apply existing cancer control knowledge and support new discoveries in prevention, early detection, and treatment.The 2009 Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer provides an overview of cancer statistics in the United States, including incidence, mortality, and survival rates. The report estimates that in 2009, there will be 1,479,350 new cancer cases and 562,340 cancer deaths in the U.S. Overall cancer incidence rates have decreased in both men (1.8% per year from 2001 to 2005) and women (0.6% per year from 1998 to 2005), primarily due to decreases in major cancer sites such as lung, prostate, breast, and colorectum. Overall cancer death rates have also decreased, with a 19.2% decline in men between 1990 and 2005 and a 11.4% decline in women between 1991 and 2005. These reductions have resulted in the avoidance of about 650,000 cancer deaths over a 15-year period. The report examines cancer incidence, mortality, and survival by site, sex, race/ethnicity, education, geographic area, and calendar year. Despite progress in reducing incidence and mortality 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 efforts to apply existing cancer control knowledge and support new discoveries in prevention, early detection, and treatment.