History of Cancer in Timeline

Cancer is a collection of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, leading to the formation of tumors. Unlike benign tumors, cancerous tumors can invade nearby tissues and spread to distant parts of the body, a process called metastasis. There exist over 100 different types of cancer, each with unique characteristics and potential for harm. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and survival rates.

1950: Start of Decline in Cancer Death Rate

Between 1950 and 2005, the cancer death rate in the US declined by five percent.

1971: Declaration of the War on Cancer

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

1975: Childhood Cancer Rates in the United States

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

1978: Childhood Cancer Rates in Europe

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

1978: Susan Sontag Publishes Illness as Metaphor

In 1978, Susan Sontag published "Illness as Metaphor" while recovering from treatment for breast cancer, criticizing the idea that cancer could be caused by a bad attitude.

Illness as Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors

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1990: Global Deaths from Cancer

In 1990, deaths from cancer worldwide totaled 5.8 million.

1990: Decrease in Lung Cancer Death Rates in Men in the United States

Since 1990, lung cancer death rates in men in the United States decreased, following earlier decreases in smoking rates that began in the 1950s.

1997: Childhood Cancer Rates Increase in Europe

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

1997: Use of Immunotherapy Therapies

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

2002: Childhood Cancer Rates Increase in the United States

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

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 US declined by five percent, adjusting for size and age of the population.

2008: Global Cancer Diagnoses

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

2010: Global Economic Costs of Cancer

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

2010: Decrease in Deaths from Childhood Cancer in the United States

Between 1975 and 2010, the rate of death from childhood cancer decreased by half in the United States.

2010: Global Cancer Deaths

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

2012: Childhood Cancer Diagnoses

In 2012, approximately 165,000 children under the age of 15 were diagnosed with cancer.

2014: Meta-analysis on Fruits, Vegetables and Cancer

A 2014 meta-analysis found no significant relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and cancer risk.

2014: Reviews on Vitamin Supplementation and Cancer Risk

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

2015: Cancer Statistics Worldwide

In 2015, approximately 90.5 million individuals globally were affected by cancer.

2015: IARC Report on Processed and Red Meat

In 2015, the IARC reported that the consumption of processed meat, such as bacon, ham, hot dogs, and sausages, and to a lesser extent red meat, was linked to an increased risk of certain cancers.

2015: Health Care Expenditure on Cancer in the US

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

2018: Global Cancer Statistics

In 2018, it was estimated that there were 18.1 million new cases of cancer and 9.6 million deaths globally.

2019: Cancer Deaths Attributed to Preventable Risk Factors

In 2019, a GBD systematic analysis indicated that approximately 44% of all cancer deaths, or 4.5 million deaths, were due to known and preventable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and high BMI.

2019: Increase in Annual Cancer Cases and Deaths

In 2019, there was a significant increase of 23.6 million annual cancer cases worldwide, accompanied by 10 million deaths. This represented a rise of 26% in cases and 21% in deaths compared to the previous decade.

2020: Leading Causes of Cancer Deaths

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

2022: Study on Cancer Risk in Wild Mammals

A study published in 2022 explored cancer risk in non-domesticated zoo mammals, belonging to 191 species and 110,148 individuals, demonstrating that cancer is a ubiquitous disease among mammals and can emerge anywhere along the mammalian phylogeny. The study also highlighted that cancer risk is not uniformly distributed among mammals.