The 2009 Cancer Statistics report estimates that 1,479,350 new cancer cases and 562,340 deaths will occur in the United States. Overall cancer incidence rates decreased in both men and women, largely due to declines in major cancer sites. Overall cancer death rates decreased by 19.2% in men and 11.4% in women between 1990 and 2005, with significant reductions in lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. These reductions have prevented about 650,000 cancer deaths over 15 years. 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 and improving survival, cancer still accounts for more deaths than heart disease in people under 85. Further progress can be achieved by applying existing cancer control knowledge and supporting new discoveries in prevention, early detection, and treatment. The report also highlights regional variations in cancer rates, with lung cancer rates varying widely between states. Trends show a decrease in cancer incidence and mortality rates for most cancers, with the exception of female lung cancer. Cancer survival rates have improved, particularly for certain cancers like breast and colorectal. African American men and women have poorer survival rates compared to whites. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1-14, with leukemia being the most common. Childhood cancer survival rates have improved significantly over the past 25 years. The report notes limitations in the estimates, including potential variations due to changes in methods and the need for caution in interpreting year-to-year changes. The preferred data sources for tracking cancer trends are age-standardized or age-specific cancer death rates and cancer incidence rates from SEER or NPCR.The 2009 Cancer Statistics report estimates that 1,479,350 new cancer cases and 562,340 deaths will occur in the United States. Overall cancer incidence rates decreased in both men and women, largely due to declines in major cancer sites. Overall cancer death rates decreased by 19.2% in men and 11.4% in women between 1990 and 2005, with significant reductions in lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. These reductions have prevented about 650,000 cancer deaths over 15 years. 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 and improving survival, cancer still accounts for more deaths than heart disease in people under 85. Further progress can be achieved by applying existing cancer control knowledge and supporting new discoveries in prevention, early detection, and treatment. The report also highlights regional variations in cancer rates, with lung cancer rates varying widely between states. Trends show a decrease in cancer incidence and mortality rates for most cancers, with the exception of female lung cancer. Cancer survival rates have improved, particularly for certain cancers like breast and colorectal. African American men and women have poorer survival rates compared to whites. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1-14, with leukemia being the most common. Childhood cancer survival rates have improved significantly over the past 25 years. The report notes limitations in the estimates, including potential variations due to changes in methods and the need for caution in interpreting year-to-year changes. The preferred data sources for tracking cancer trends are age-standardized or age-specific cancer death rates and cancer incidence rates from SEER or NPCR.