Most Dangerous Cancers in Men and Women
Cancer is the second-leading cause of adult deaths in the U.S., followed by heart disease. Andrew Nish, MD, John Stoddard Cancer Center Medical Director, helps us understand the most dangerous cancers as outlined by the American Cancer Society’s 2026 annual Facts & Figures report.
Knowing the deadliest cancers and their warning signs can help people recognize symptoms early and seek treatment sooner.
Note: The numbers don’t include basal cell (most common skin cancer) and squamous cell (second most common skin cancer) skin cancers, since they’re not regularly reported to cancer registries.
What are the Deadliest Cancers?
Cancer statistics for 2026 show a continued high burden of the disease in the U.S.
- Approximately 2.1 million new cancer cases are expected in 2026.
- More than 626,140 Americans are expected to die from cancer in 2026 (about 1,700 deaths per day).
- The lifetime risk of developing an invasive cancer is approximately 41% for men and 39% for women.
Five Most Dangerous Cancers in Men
These five cancers are predicted to take 134,320 male lives in 2026.
- Lung & Bronchus – 63,040 male deaths
- Prostate – 36,320 male deaths
- Colon & Rectum – 30,110 male deaths
- Pancreas – 27,230 male deaths
- Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct – 19,650 male deaths
Cancer Deaths in Men by Percent
- 19% - Lung & Bronchus
- 11% - Prostate
- 9% - Colon & Rectum
- 8% - Pancreas
- 6% - Liver
- 4% - Leukemia
- 4% - Esophagus
- 4% - Bladder
- 3% - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- 3% - Brain & Nervous System
Five Most Dangerous Cancers in Women
These five cancers are predicted to take 126,620 female lives in 2026.
- Lung & Bronchus – 59,510 female deaths
- Breast – 42,140 female deaths
- Pancreas – 25,510 female deaths
- Colon & Rectum – 25,120 female deaths
- Uterine – 14,340 female deaths
Cancer Deaths in Females by Percent
- 20% - Lung & Bronchus
- 14% - Breast
- 9% - Pancreas
- 8% - Colon & Rectum
- 5% - Uterine
- 4% - Ovary
- 4% - Liver
- 4% - Leukemia
- 3% - Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- 3% - Brain & Nervous System
Why is Lung Cancer the Deadliest Cancer?
Even though lung cancer is the deadliest cancer for men and women, the rates are declining in the U.S. Experts attribute the drop to fewer smokers and improvements in treatments for non-small cell lung cancer.
“While cigarette smoke is by far the primary cause of lung cancer in the U.S., it isn’t the only risk. Radon gas — which occurs naturally in soil and can build up inside homes — is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and number one cause among non-smokers, accounting for an estimated 21,000 deaths per year. Other contributing factors include secondhand smoke, asbestos, radiation, air pollution and diesel exhaust,” Dr. Nish says.
Lung Cancer Symptoms and Warning Signs
- Chest pain
- Hoarse voice
- Persistent cough
- Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis
- Sputum (saliva mixed with mucus) streaked with blood
- Worsening shortness of breath
“These signs and symptoms of lung cancer don’t usually appear until the cancer is more advanced. Early detection is very important, so talk to your doctor about screenings available to you,” Dr. Nish says.
Why is Colon Cancer on the Rise in Younger People?
Colorectal cancer has generally declined since the early 1990s for those 50 and older due to more people following colonoscopy screening guidelines. However, colon cancer cases are rising in younger people. While the exact cause is unknown, lifestyle risk factors include highly processed diets, environmental toxins, heavy alcohol use, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking.
“Most colorectal cancer diagnosed in adults younger than 50 are called ‘sporadic,’ meaning they don’t have a genetic or family risk, and they aren’t associated with a pre-existing condition such as inflammatory bowel disease. There is some research underway to understand the composition of the gut microbiome, or the trillions of bacteria in your gut, and how it may impact your risk for colon cancer,” Dr. Nish says.
Screening is recommended starting at 45 years old. These high-risk factors mean you should get screened sooner:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Family or personal history of colon cancer or polyps
- Lynch syndrome
- Of American Indian, Alaska Native or Ashkenazi Jew racial or ethnic groups
Colon Cancer Symptoms and Warning Signs
- Abdominal cramping or pain
- Blood in stool
- Change in bowel habits or stool shape (stool that becomes narrower)
- Decreased appetite
- Feeling like the bowel doesn’t completely empty
- Rectal bleeding
- Weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss
Due to early detection from screenings, colon cancer incidence rates decreased by nearly 2% per year in adults 50 and older and increased by nearly 2% per year in individuals younger than 55.
Most Dangerous Cancers Explained
Lung & Bronchus
Lung and bronchial cancer causes more deaths in the U.S. than any other type of cancer in both men and women. Although survival rates have increased over the years due to improved treatments, the outlook is still poor compared with many other cancers. The five-year survival rate is only 28%.
Breast
The breast cancer death rate among women peaked in 1989. The drop is attributed to increased use of breast cancer screenings that improve early detection and survival rates. The five-year survival rate is 90% and the 10-year survival rate is 84%. While survival has improved, healthcare inequities are still an issue. For example, the survival rate is 10% lower for Black women than for white women.
Prostate
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Survival rates are directly associated with early detection, so men should follow their doctor’s screening advice. The five-year survival rate in men who are diagnosed early is nearly 100%. After decades of decline, prostate cancer incidence increased by about 3% per year from 2014 through 2020, partly due to more advanced cases being caught later. While the exact reasons for certain disparities are unknown, the incidence of prostate cancer is 70% higher in Black men than White men, and Black men are more than twice as likely to die from the disease. Besides age and family history of disease, African ancestry is a leading risk factor for prostate cancer.
Colon & Rectum
The third most common cancer in men and women, colon and rectal cancer cases begin as clumps of benign cells, called polyps. Over time, these cells become cancerous. Screening is recommended for people over the age of 45 but should be considered earlier if the person is at increased risk. Due to early detection from screenings, colon cancer incidence rates decreased by about 2% from 2014 to 2018 in adults age 50 and older. However, it increased by 1.5% per year in younger individuals.
Pancreas
Because pancreatic cancer progresses rapidly, and no method of early detection is currently available, it’s one of the most dangerous types of cancer. The incidence rate has increased by about 1% per year since 2000. The five-year survival rate sits at only 13%. In addition, pancreatic cancer has shown resistance to chemotherapy, so clinical trials are taking place to develop alternative treatments.
Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct
Liver cancer is more common in men than women. Liver cancer diagnoses tripled from 1980 to 201. However, incidence has started to plateau and even slightly decrease recently in some populations. At least 70% of liver cancer in the U.S. could be prevented by managing risk factors including excess body weight, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Hepatitis C, hepatitis B and Type 2 diabetes also increase risk. Liver cancer is dangerous, because it does not cause symptoms until it’s later stages, and early detection is difficult. The five-year survival rate is just 20%
Ovary
Because ovarian cancer often has no symptoms, or has symptoms that can be mistaken for other conditions, early detection is difficult. Women who are most at risk are those with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Preventative surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes can decrease this risk dramatically. Women who smoke and are overweight are also at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is only 51%.
10 Ways to Prevent Deadly Cancers
While about 5% to 10% of cancer cases are linked to inherited genetic mutations, the majority are associated with environmental and lifestyle factors. In fact, research shows that at least 42% of all new cancer cases are potentially preventable through modifiable risk factors. Adopting healthy habits can significantly reduce your risk, such as:
- Adding more vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds to your seeds
- Decreasing consumption of processed foods
- Getting vaccinated with the HPV vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine
- Increase activity
- Limiting alcohol use
- Participating in appropriate cancer screenings by age and risk factor
- Protecting your skin by wearing sunscreen and avoiding indoor tanning
- Quitting smoking/using tobacco
- Reducing exposure to environmental pollution
- Reducing obesity levels
“If you have questions about your diet, screenings, vaccines, exercise, skin protection or any other cancer prevention techniques, start by asking your primary care provider. And, if you notice something doesn’t feel right for your body — say something. It’s the most important way to advocate for yourself and your health,” Dr. Nish says.