History of Cancer in Timeline

Cancer encompasses over 100 diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, leading to tumor formation. Malignant tumors can invade and spread, distinguishing them from benign tumors that remain localized. This uncontrolled growth and potential for metastasis are key features defining cancer's dangerous nature.

1950: Cancer Death Rate Decline

Between 1950 and 2005, the cancer death rate in the United States (adjusting for size and age of the population) declined by five percent.

1971: War on Cancer Declared

In 1971, US President Richard Nixon declared the "war on cancer", leading to increased funding and research efforts.

1975: Childhood Cancer Rates and Death Reduction

Between 1975 and 2002, rates of childhood cancer increased by 0.6% per year in the United States. Between 1975 and 2010, death from childhood cancer decreased by half in the United States.

1978: Increase in Childhood Cancer Rates in Europe

Between 1978 and 1997, rates of childhood cancer increased by 1.1% per year in Europe.

1978: Publication of Illness as Metaphor

In 1978, Susan Sontag published "Illness as Metaphor" while recovering from breast cancer, criticizing the idea that a "cancer personality" or negative attitude causes or prevents the cure of cancer.

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1990: Cancer Deaths Worldwide

In 1990, cancer caused 5.8 million deaths globally.

1990: Decline in Lung Cancer Death Rates

Since 1990, lung cancer death rates have decreased in men in the United States, mirroring the decrease in smoking rates since the 1950s.

1997: Increase in Childhood Cancer Rates in Europe

Between 1978 and 1997, rates of childhood cancer increased by 1.1% per year in Europe.

1997: Immunotherapy Therapies

Since 1997, a variety of therapies using immunotherapy have come into use to stimulate or help the immune system to fight cancer.

2002: Childhood Cancer Rates Increase

Between 1975 and 2002, rates of childhood cancer increased by 0.6% per year in the United States.

2004: Cancer Treatment Expenditure

Between the 1960s and 2004, the share of health expenditure devoted to cancer treatment has remained close to 5%.

2005: Cancer Death Rate Decline

Between 1950 and 2005, the cancer death rate in the United States (adjusting for size and age of the population) declined by five percent.

2008: Cancer Diagnoses Worldwide

In 2008, approximately 12.7 million cancers were diagnosed worldwide (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers and other non-invasive cancers).

2010: Decrease in Childhood Cancer Deaths

Death from childhood cancer decreased by half between 1975 and 2010 in the United States.

2010: Cancer Deaths Worldwide

In 2010, nearly 7.98 million people died from cancer worldwide.

2010: Global Economic Costs of Cancer

In 2010, the global total economic costs of cancer were estimated at US$1.16 trillion.

2012: Childhood Cancer Cases

In 2012, about 165,000 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with cancer.

2014: Meta-Analysis on Fruits, Vegetables, and Cancer

A 2014 meta-analysis found no relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables and cancer risk.

2014: Reviews on Vitamin Supplementation and Cancer

One 2014 review found that vitamin supplements had no significant effect on cancer risk. Another 2014 review concluded that vitamin D3 may decrease the risk of death from cancer, but concerns with the quality of the data were noted.

2015: Cancer Prevalence Worldwide

In 2015, approximately 90.5 million people worldwide were living with cancer.

2015: IARC Report on Processed and Red Meat

In 2015, the IARC reported that eating processed meat (e.g., bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages) and, to a lesser degree, red meat was linked to some cancers.

2015: US Health Care Expenditure on Cancer

In 2015, the total health care expenditure on cancer in the US was estimated to be $80.2 billion.

2018: Global Cancer Statistics

Estimates for 2018 indicate 18.1 million new cases of cancer and 9.6 million deaths occurring globally. Approximately 20% of males and 17% of females will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, with 13% of males and 9% of females dying from it.

2019: Increase in Cancer Cases and Deaths

In 2019, annual cancer cases grew by 23.6 million people, and there were 10 million deaths worldwide, representing over the previous decade increases of 26% and 21%, respectively.

2019: Preventable Cancer Deaths

In 2019, approximately 44% of all cancer deaths, equating to 4.5 million deaths or 105 million lost disability-adjusted life years, were attributed to known preventable risk factors. These were primarily smoking, alcohol use and high BMI, according to a GBD systematic analysis.

2020: Leading Causes of Cancer Deaths

As of 2020, lung cancer (1.8 million), colorectal cancer (916,000), liver cancer (830,000), stomach cancer (769,000), and breast cancer (685,000) were the cancers causing the most deaths worldwide.

2022: Cancer Risk in Wild Mammals

A 2022 study explored cancer risk in (non-domesticated) zoo mammals, demonstrating that cancer is a ubiquitous disease of mammals. Carnivora species are more prone to cancer while ungulates appear to face consistently low cancer risks.