A new report released by the American Cancer Society on Thursday revealed a shift in the burden of the disease from men to women. Cases of cancer are declining in men while diagnoses are rising in women, specifically younger women. A continued drop in cancer mortality was also noted in the report, but alarming inequities in cancer rates persist, most notably among Native American and Black people. The report coincides with the beginning of the 2025 legislative session and presents Arizona state lawmakers an opportunity to work with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of ACS, to support cancer prevention, treatment, and access to care.
According to the 2025 Cancer Facts and Figures report, cancer incidence has generally declined in men but risen in women, specifically younger women. Rates in women 50-64 years old have already surpassed those in men. Rates in younger women are also 82% higher than their male counterparts. Notably, lung cancer incidence in women under 65 years of age surpassed men for the first time, reflecting slower declines in incidence among women because of slower reductions in tobacco use. Incidence rates continue to climb for common cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic, uterine corpus, melanoma, liver, and oral cancers associated with HPV.
In 2025, more than 42,000 residents in Arizona will be diagnosed with cancer, with more than 14,000 residents expected to die from the disease, an increase from 2024.
The cancer death rate declined in the United States by 34% from 1991 to 2022 with approximately 4.5 million deaths being averted. Reasons include reductions in tobacco use, improvements in treatment, and early detection for some cancers. However, major inequities in mortality rates exist. Native American people are 2-3 times higher than White people for kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers. Black people are twice as likely to die of prostate, stomach and uterine corpus cancers compared to White people.
“The release of this report highlights the urgent need for state lawmakers to join volunteer advocates with ACS CAN in supporting the fight against cancer,” said Brian Hummell, ACS CAN Arizona Government Relations Director. “Our volunteer advocates plan to work with lawmakers this session on several issues to try to ensure access to quality care, cancer prevention and early detection, as well as reducing the toll of tobacco.”
Among the priorities for the 2025 legislative session, ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding of more than $1.3 million for the Arizona Well Woman HealthCheck program, the state breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment program for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women.
ACS CAN will hold its Cancer Action Day on Thursday, February 6th at the Arizona State Capitol. Volunteers, including survivors, patients, and caregivers plan to meet with lawmakers about supporting the fight against cancer.
