CDC via AP
This undated microscope photo made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the results of a Papanicolaou test, or Pap test, with a positive indication for the presence of uterine cervical adenocarcinoma, classified as Stage-III.Â
A rare but aggressive kind of uterine cancer appears to be driving an increase in U.S. deaths from the disease, particularly among Black women, researchers reported Thursday.
Over eight years, deaths from the aggressive type rose by 2.7% per year, while deaths were stable for the less aggressive kind, their study found. Black women had more than twice the rate of deaths from uterine cancer overall, and of the more aggressive type, when compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
Keep scrolling for a list of types of cancer on the rise
The aggressive kind — called Type 2 endometrial cancer — is more difficult to treat. By the end of the study period, it accounted for about 20% of cases and 45% of deaths.
“For most cancers, there have been improvements over the last 20 years. It’s alarming that we haven’t had the same success with uterine cancer,” said Dr. Pamela Soliman of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who was not involved in the study.
“This allows us to focus our efforts on specific areas that could potentially have a bigger impact on mortality,” Soliman said.
An estimated 65,950 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year and 12,550 women are expected to die from it. Irregular bleeding can be a warning sign, but there is no recommended screening test.
Researchers analyzed U.S. cancer data for women 40 and older. They found overall uterine cancer death rates increased by 1.8% per year from 2010 to 2017.
Annual rates increased 3.4% among Asian women, 3.5% among Black women, 6.7% among Hispanic women and 1.5% among white women. (The researchers adjusted for hysterectomy rates, which vary by race. Women who’ve had their wombs removed cannot get uterine cancer.)
Obesity is a risk factor for the less aggressive uterine cancer, but there’s no clear risk factor for the more aggressive kind, said the National Cancer Institute’s Megan Clarke, who led the study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology.
“We think it is something that is more common in Black women and increasing in the population for all women,” Clarke said. “It’s very puzzling and concerning.”
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
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Cancer rates are rising worldwide and as the number of diagnosed cases continues stacking up year after year, it is predicted that cancer will surpass heart disease as the leading cause of death in America.
Cancer affects every one of us, whether it is ourselves, a family member, or a close friend. It is impossible to avoid its ubiquity. While many types of cancer are genetic, the risk of some can be decreased through a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and even wearing sunscreen during prolonged hours under the sun at the beach. And though the prognosis for many is often tragic, early detection and regular medical checks are not only the smart thing to do—they can save lives.
Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stacker averaged the annual number of new cancer cases per 100,000 people in 2000 and in 2018 (the most recent year for comprehensive data) to determine the increasing trend of certain types of the disease. From there, Stacker compiled a list of nine cancers that have had the greatest jump in frequency within that 18-year period.
Read on to learn which forms of cancer are increasing.
You may also like: Most prevalent chronic conditions in American seniors
goodbishop // Shutterstock
Cancer rates are rising worldwide and as the number of diagnosed cases continues stacking up year after year, it is predicted that cancer will surpass heart disease as the leading cause of death in America.
Cancer affects every one of us, whether it is ourselves, a family member, or a close friend. It is impossible to avoid its ubiquity. While many types of cancer are genetic, the risk of some can be decreased through a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and even wearing sunscreen during prolonged hours under the sun at the beach. And though the prognosis for many is often tragic, early detection and regular medical checks are not only the smart thing to do—they can save lives.
Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stacker averaged the annual number of new cancer cases per 100,000 people in 2000 and in 2018 (the most recent year for comprehensive data) to determine the increasing trend of certain types of the disease. From there, Stacker compiled a list of nine cancers that have had the greatest jump in frequency within that 18-year period.
Read on to learn which forms of cancer are increasing.
You may also like: Most prevalent chronic conditions in American seniors
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
David Tadevosian// Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 11.1 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 13.1 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 18%
The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach that releases hormones that help process sugar. Unfortunately, symptoms of pancreatic cancer rarely present themselves until the disease reaches a more advanced stage, by which time a cure is unlikely. Steve Jobs and Patrick Swayze both died from this cancer.
David Tadevosian// Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 11.1 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 13.1 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 18%
The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach that releases hormones that help process sugar. Unfortunately, symptoms of pancreatic cancer rarely present themselves until the disease reaches a more advanced stage, by which time a cure is unlikely. Steve Jobs and Patrick Swayze both died from this cancer.
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
T-Photo // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 1.5 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 1.8 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 20%
Acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer found mostly in children, occurs when abnormal white blood cells develop in the bone marrow. ALL gets into the bloodstream and, similar to other forms of cancer, can spread to other organs such as the liver and spleen. ALL has seen an increase in cases in the U.S., both in children and adults, with death likely to occur in adults. Typical treatment for ALL in adults tends to be long-term chemotherapy, and in children, chemotherapy is given in three phases.
T-Photo // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 1.5 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 1.8 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 20%
Acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer found mostly in children, occurs when abnormal white blood cells develop in the bone marrow. ALL gets into the bloodstream and, similar to other forms of cancer, can spread to other organs such as the liver and spleen. ALL has seen an increase in cases in the U.S., both in children and adults, with death likely to occur in adults. Typical treatment for ALL in adults tends to be long-term chemotherapy, and in children, chemotherapy is given in three phases.
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
kan_chana // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 12.7 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 16.9 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 33.1%
The renal pelvis is the part of the kidney that connects to tubes, called ureters, which carry urine to the bladder. Typical symptoms of this disease are blood in the urine and constant back pain on one side. Surgery is a common form of treatment, including the removal of the entire kidney.
kan_chana // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 12.7 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 16.9 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 33.1%
The renal pelvis is the part of the kidney that connects to tubes, called ureters, which carry urine to the bladder. Typical symptoms of this disease are blood in the urine and constant back pain on one side. Surgery is a common form of treatment, including the removal of the entire kidney.
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 2.7 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 3.7 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 37%
There are different types of cancers that grow on the tongue. Tongue cancer is more common in older age groups and in men. Risk factors for tongue cancer include smoking, alcohol intake, and having the sexually transmitted disease HPV. Some symptoms of oral tongue cancer include a lump that resembles an ulcer. For base of tongue cancer, there’s minimal symptoms in the beginning stages but as the illness progresses, there’s difficulty swallowing and a sense of fullness in the throat.
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 2.7 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 3.7 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 37%
There are different types of cancers that grow on the tongue. Tongue cancer is more common in older age groups and in men. Risk factors for tongue cancer include smoking, alcohol intake, and having the sexually transmitted disease HPV. Some symptoms of oral tongue cancer include a lump that resembles an ulcer. For base of tongue cancer, there’s minimal symptoms in the beginning stages but as the illness progresses, there’s difficulty swallowing and a sense of fullness in the throat.
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
Shidlovski // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 5.1 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 8.3 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 62.7%
Bile is produced in the liver. It then runs through a duct system and empties into the intestine. Cancer cells can develop from both the liver and duct cells. Symptoms of this disease include jaundice, itchy skin, and weight loss. This form of cancer typically affects people over the age of 50.
Shidlovski // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 5.1 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 8.3 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 62.7%
Bile is produced in the liver. It then runs through a duct system and empties into the intestine. Cancer cells can develop from both the liver and duct cells. Symptoms of this disease include jaundice, itchy skin, and weight loss. This form of cancer typically affects people over the age of 50.
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
Motortion Films // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 1.4 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 2.3 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 64.3%
Men are three times more likely than women to be diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Symptoms usually involve a constant sore throat, mouth pain, and difficulty chewing and/or swallowing. Tonsil cancer is usually diagnosed through blood tests and x-rays to examine if the tumor has spread to other areas of the body such as the lung. Treatment options for tonsil cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Motortion Films // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 1.4 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 2.3 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 64.3%
Men are three times more likely than women to be diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Symptoms usually involve a constant sore throat, mouth pain, and difficulty chewing and/or swallowing. Tonsil cancer is usually diagnosed through blood tests and x-rays to examine if the tumor has spread to other areas of the body such as the lung. Treatment options for tonsil cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
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Mystery plagues high school after 100 former students and staff get brain tumors in NJ
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 0.4 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 0.8 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 100%
Oropharyngeal cancer is when malignant cancer cells are detected in the oropharynx, the middle part of the throat. The oropharynx plays a huge role in where air, food, and fluids pass through. Oropharynx cancer has been on the rise for years with 10,850 deaths in the U.S. in 2021. Treatment options include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
You may also like: Best states for health care
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
- New cases in 2000: 0.4 per 100,000 people
- New cases in 2018: 0.8 per 100,000 people
- Increase in new case rates from 2000 to 2018: 100%
Oropharyngeal cancer is when malignant cancer cells are detected in the oropharynx, the middle part of the throat. The oropharynx plays a huge role in where air, food, and fluids pass through. Oropharynx cancer has been on the rise for years with 10,850 deaths in the U.S. in 2021. Treatment options include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
You may also like: Best states for health care
