City of Hope experts available to provide insight on the American Cancer Society’s new ‘Cancer Statistics, 2026’ report

LOS ANGELES — The American Cancer Society today released its annual “Cancer Statistics, 2026” and “Cancer Facts & Figures 2026” report — the first national snapshot of this year’s cancer trends. The new data show a historic milestone: U.S. cancer survivorship has reached a record 70%, driven by major gains in cancers once considered difficult to treat, including lung, liver and myeloma. The report also spotlights persistent disparities, concerning increases in cancer among women and younger adults, and growing survivorship needs as nearly 19 million Americans live with or beyond cancer.

Experts from City of Hope^®, one of the country’s leading cancer research and treatment institutions, are available immediately for interviews to help interpret key trends and provide context for how these findings affect patients, families and the future of cancer care.

We also have patients available for interviews.

Big‑Picture Perspective on National Cancer Trends
Survival gains • Rising incidence • Prevention • Scientific advances • Treatment breakthroughs and evolution

• Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., is a globally recognized leader in cancer immunotherapy, the microbiome and bone marrow transplantation. As City of Hope chief physician executive, he can discuss the scientific advances and clinical trends highlighted in the report.
• Susan Neuhausen, Ph.D., is an expert in the epidemiology and genetics of cancer. She can discuss how genetics, lifestyle and environment influence cancer development, especially for the breast, ovarian and prostate. She is director of City of Hope’s division of early detection and prevention.

Cancer Survivorship & Long‑Term Care
A record 70% of people now survive at least five years after a cancer diagnosis, contributing to nearly 19 million Americans living with or beyond cancer. As survivorship grows, the report underscores the persistent long‑term physical, emotional and financial challenges many survivors face — highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive, equitable survivorship and supportive care services.

• Saro Armenian, D.O., is an internationally recognized physician-scientist focused on improving the health outcomes of childhood and adult-onset cancer patients. He directs City of Hope’s Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Survivorship Program.
• Andrew Leitner, M.D., is an expert in supportive care and can address strategies to improve quality of life for cancer patients. He is chair of City of Hope’s Department of Supportive Care Medicine.

Lung Cancer: Still the Deadliest Cancer in America
Lung cancer is expected to cause more deaths in 2026 than colorectal and pancreatic cancers combined. The new report shows meaningful progress: five‑year survival for advanced disease has improved, rising to 37% for regional‑stage cancer and 10% for distant‑stage diagnoses. Even with these gains, lung cancer’s heavy toll underscores the continued need for early detection, prevention and equitable access to high‑quality care.

• Christine Lovly, M.D., Ph.D., leads City of Hope’s national thoracic oncology program and can discuss changing patterns in cancer diagnoses among women and younger adults. Dr. Lovly is an internationally renowned physician-scientist whose pioneering work in precision medicine has shaped the field of lung cancer.
• Jae Kim, M.D., chief of thoracic surgery, is an expert on lung cancer risk in young non-smoking adults, particularly among those of Asian descent.
• Edward S. Kim, M.D., is renowned for trailblazing cancer research and care. He can discuss advances in cancer detection and personalized therapies for lung, head and neck cancers. He is system director of clinical trials and vice physician-in-chief of City of Hope’s National Medical Center. 

Shifting Cancer Burden in Women & Younger Adults
The American Cancer Society report highlights a continued and concerning rise in cancer diagnoses among women and younger adults, reflecting shifting patterns in disease burden. These trends underscore critical questions about screening, prevention, risk factors, and access to specialty and supportive care across age groups.

• Pashtoon Kasi, M.D., can speak to rising early-onset colorectal cancer, differences between early- and later-onset disease, and emerging tools like liquid biopsies for earlier detection. He is medical director of GI Medical Oncology at City of Hope Orange County.
• Joshua Cohen, M.D., is a leading gynecologic oncologist who can comment on rising HPV-related cancer risks, gaps in cervical cancer screening and emerging prevention tools — including self-collected HPV tests — that may expand access and improve early detection. He is medical director of the Gynecologic Cancer Program at City of Hope Orange County.
• Amanda Schwer, M.D., a radiation oncologist at City of Hope Orange County, is witnessing the shifting face of cancer toward younger adults, especially women under 50. She can comment on why cancers once seen primarily in older adults — like breast and lung cancers — are appearing more often in younger women and how screening gaps and delayed diagnoses contribute to this trend.

Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, Diet & Exercise
The report highlights that excess body weight, poor diet, physical inactivity and alcohol use contribute to many common cancers. With obesity remaining widespread, researchers are also watching how rising use of GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications may shape future cancer trends. Growing evidence links ultra‑processed foods and other everyday exposures to increased cancer risk, reinforcing a simple message: healthy eating, regular activity and weight management are powerful ways to lower cancer risk.

• Cristian Tomasetti, Ph.D., can share insights on obesity and cancer risk. He is a professor in the Early Detection and Prevention Division at TGen, part of City of Hope, and is recognized internationally for advancing the understanding of how cancers develop and change over time.
• Joanne Mortimer, M.D., can share insight on GLP-1 medications and cancer risk. Dr. Mortimer is the Baum Family Professor in Women’s Cancers.
• Pashtoon Kasi, M.D., is an expert on colorectal cancer and can discuss the latest research on the impact of diet, ultra-processed foods and GLP-1 medications on cancer risk. He is medical director of GI Medical Oncology at City of Hope Orange County.
• Preeti Soni is an integrative oncology dietitian at City of Hope Orange County who can speak to the role of evidence-based nutrition in cancer prevention, treatment tolerance and survivorship.

AI and Detection Technology Advances
Early detection remains one of the strongest drivers of improved cancer survival. Advances in screening and diagnostic approaches are helping identify cancers at earlier, more treatable stages. Looking ahead, emerging tools like including AI‑enabled technologies may further support timely and accurate detection, reinforcing the report’s core message that earlier diagnosis saves lives.

• Enrique Velazquez Villarreal, M.D., Ph.D., is a physician-scientist and computational geneticist who can discuss AI applications in cancer detection. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Translational Sciences.

CAR T Cell Therapy & Precision Medicine
Advances in precision medicine like targeted therapies and modern immunotherapies are driving major improvements in survival for cancers once considered highly lethal. These breakthroughs are part of a broader wave of personalized treatment approaches that are reshaping cancer care and expanding options for patients with advanced disease.

• Stacy Gray, M.D., studies translational genomics and can discuss advances in precision cancer medicine. She is a professor in the Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics.
• Amrita Krishnan, M.D., is a world-renowned multiple myeloma expert who can discuss innovative immunotherapies, pioneering transplant strategies and next-generation treatments improving outcomes for high-risk and relapsed patients. She is executive medical director of hematology and director of the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research at City of Hope Orange County.
• Christine Brown, Ph.D., is an immunotherapy and CAR T cell expert who focuses on developing innovative treatments for brain tumors. She is a professor in the departments of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Immuno-Oncology. 
• Tanya Siddiqi, M.D., is a national leader in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research. Her team helped secure FDA approval of the first CLL CAR T therapy. She can speak to how targeted and immunotherapy approaches are transforming treatment and expanding access to lifesaving care for CLL and lymphoma patients. She is medical director of Lymphoma and director of the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Program at City of Hope Orange County.

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About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, Orange County, California, campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope^TM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.