The American Cancer Society's Surveillance Research Program reports cancer incidence, mortality, and survival data for the United States in 2000. For the first time since 1979, male cancer deaths declined, primarily due to decreases in lung, prostate, and colon/rectum cancer deaths. Female lung cancer deaths continued to rise, accounting for 25% of all female cancer deaths in 2000. The report includes global cancer mortality rates from the World Health Organization. Cancer incidence rates for all sites peaked in 1992 and declined by an average of 2.2% per year from 1992 to 1996. Breast cancer rates remained stable in the 1990s, but declined in younger women. Colon/rectum cancer rates declined significantly, averaging -2.1% per year. Lung cancer rates declined in males, averaging -2.6% per year, while female rates stabilized. Prostate cancer rates declined by -2.0% per year. Cancer deaths in 2000 are estimated at 552,200, with lung, prostate, and colon/rectum cancers being the leading causes in men. In women, lung, breast, and colon/rectum cancers account for over half of cancer deaths. Lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women in 1987 and is expected to account for 25% of all female cancer deaths in 2000. Cancer death rates for all cancers peaked in 1991 and declined by an average of -0.7% per year from 1991 to 1996. Breast cancer death rates declined by -1.8% per year, with more pronounced declines among white women and younger women. Colon/rectum cancer death rates declined by -1.7% per year. Lung cancer death rates declined among males by -1.6% per year, while female rates stabilized. Cancer incidence rates varied by race/ethnicity, with blacks having the highest rates. Black men had the highest incidence rates for colon/rectum, lung, and prostate cancers. Black women had higher rates of breast and colon/rectum cancer deaths than other groups. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1-14 in the US, with significant improvements in five-year survival rates for many childhood cancers. The report acknowledges limitations in its estimates, including potential inaccuracies for rare cancers and smaller populations. Despite these limitations, the estimates reflect current cancer trends in the US. The report highlights the importance of continued efforts to reduce the public health burden of cancer.The American Cancer Society's Surveillance Research Program reports cancer incidence, mortality, and survival data for the United States in 2000. For the first time since 1979, male cancer deaths declined, primarily due to decreases in lung, prostate, and colon/rectum cancer deaths. Female lung cancer deaths continued to rise, accounting for 25% of all female cancer deaths in 2000. The report includes global cancer mortality rates from the World Health Organization. Cancer incidence rates for all sites peaked in 1992 and declined by an average of 2.2% per year from 1992 to 1996. Breast cancer rates remained stable in the 1990s, but declined in younger women. Colon/rectum cancer rates declined significantly, averaging -2.1% per year. Lung cancer rates declined in males, averaging -2.6% per year, while female rates stabilized. Prostate cancer rates declined by -2.0% per year. Cancer deaths in 2000 are estimated at 552,200, with lung, prostate, and colon/rectum cancers being the leading causes in men. In women, lung, breast, and colon/rectum cancers account for over half of cancer deaths. Lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women in 1987 and is expected to account for 25% of all female cancer deaths in 2000. Cancer death rates for all cancers peaked in 1991 and declined by an average of -0.7% per year from 1991 to 1996. Breast cancer death rates declined by -1.8% per year, with more pronounced declines among white women and younger women. Colon/rectum cancer death rates declined by -1.7% per year. Lung cancer death rates declined among males by -1.6% per year, while female rates stabilized. Cancer incidence rates varied by race/ethnicity, with blacks having the highest rates. Black men had the highest incidence rates for colon/rectum, lung, and prostate cancers. Black women had higher rates of breast and colon/rectum cancer deaths than other groups. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1-14 in the US, with significant improvements in five-year survival rates for many childhood cancers. The report acknowledges limitations in its estimates, including potential inaccuracies for rare cancers and smaller populations. Despite these limitations, the estimates reflect current cancer trends in the US. The report highlights the importance of continued efforts to reduce the public health burden of cancer.