This June marks National Cancer Survivors Day®, a time to honor every life touched by cancer and to raise awareness of the journey beyond diagnosis. The color lavender, representing all cancer types, reminds us that survivorship is a shared experience. This year, the news is hopeful. Thanks to new research and breakthroughs in treatment, survival rates are improving, and early detection is saving more lives. This blog will explore some of the groundbreaking research transforming survivorship, empowering patients, and offering renewed hope for life after cancer.
Facts About Cancer Survivorship
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, and there were approximately 2 million new cases in the USA last year1. However, around 70 percent of cancer survivors have lived more than five years after their diagnosis2, and survival of those who have been diagnosed is increasing: in 1991, the overall survival rate was only 49 percent.
Cancer survivorship starts the day you’re diagnosed3, and there are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the USA today2. Risk of cancer increases as you age, and that means that in an aging population, the rate of cancer will also increase. However, better diagnosis and treatments are increasing survival rates4. This means there is estimated to be more than 26 million cancer survivors in the USA by 20402.
Female breast cancer survivors are the largest group of cancer survivors in the USA, making up around 22 percent, while male prostate cancer survivors make up around 20 percent of all survivors2.
Cancer survival rates vary widely depending on the type of cancer. Doctors and researchers often use the five-year survival rate as a measure of how deadly a cancer is, as it estimates the chance that a patient will not have died of a specific cancer five years after their diagnosis. Some common cancers, including breast cancer and testicular cancer, have overall survival rates of over 90 percent5,6. Other, more aggressive and dangerous malignancies, like lung and liver cancers, have five-year survival rates of less than 30 percent7,8.
Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors
‘Cancer’ describes a vast range of diseases with a wide array of causes and symptoms. However, some symptoms are shared among multiple cancers; you should consult a healthcare professional when you notice them. These symptoms include9:
- Tiredness or fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest.
- Rapid weight loss with no known cause.
- Lumps or swellings on the body.
- Changes to the skin, including new moles, changes to existing moles, lumps, and sores that do not heal.
- Blood in your urine or your stool.
For more information on symptoms of specific cancer types, check out our blogs on ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and more.
Similarly, different types of cancer are associated with different kinds of risk factors, including environmental exposures and family history. Some common risk factors for cancer include10:
- Tobacco smoking.
- Overconsumption of alcohol.
- Exposure to harmful chemicals.
- Inheritance of specific genes.
- Aging.
- Poor diet and obesity.
New Research on Cancer and Survival
Breakthroughs and discoveries are helping us to understand why certain cancers are more deadly than others, why some people respond well to treatment, and how we can spot the development of cancer as early as possible. Here, we’ll look at some of the exciting research from the past twelve months that's driving new methods of diagnosis and treatment that will power increases in cancer survival in the years to come.
Improved Screening Helps Us Catch Cancer Early
Across almost all cancers, the sooner the disease is spotted, the better the outcome. This means that one of the most powerful tools at our disposal is effective screening: testing for the presence of cancer even when there are no symptoms.
In a study published at the end of last year, researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) examined the impact that screening and prevention had had on cancer deaths over the past 50 years. They estimated that 160,000 deaths from cervical cancer had been averted by screening, while 940,000 deaths from colorectal cancer had been avoided by routine testing.
Novel screening methods are hoping to further improve survival rates. Research published last year revealed that a test that assesses the level of specific proteins in the blood can detect the presence of 18 different tumors11. The test correctly identified 93 percent of cancers among males and 84 percent among females. Screening programmes that can test for multiple cancers at once will provide quick, effective, and cost-effective methods of checking for early signs of disease in much larger groups.
Better Diagnosis Drives Better Treatment
Cancer is a very heterogeneous disease, meaning there are many different types and subtypes. These subtypes all have different characteristics, which inform what treatment is required.
One way in which tumors can be different is the DNA mutations that are present. These mutations (changes in the DNA) drive the development of cancer and can provide insights into the nature of the disease and how best to treat it. Last year, the National Health Service in the UK published results from a large study that used genome sequencing to assess mutations in tumors in nearly 14,000 patients12. These mutations were then used to characterize different cancers present, with the aim of generating personalized treatment regimes.
New technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI) have already proven to be helpful in diagnosing cancer, and several companies are using AI to examine vast amounts of data to advance precision medicine. For example, at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) conference this year, a blood test was presented that uses AI to analyse tumor DNA in blood and predict how patients will respond to treatments13.
New Therapies to Target the Most Deadly Cancers
Many anti-cancer drugs only work in some patients, or stop working when cancer returns. New therapies are aiming to tackle these deadly, unresponsive cancers.
One of the most significant breakthroughs in the last 20 years has been the development of immunotherapy, which unlocks the power of our immune system to fight cancer. One such drug, pembrolizumab, was shown to be effective against bowel cancer in clinical trial results revealed last year14. The drug, which was given before surgery, could be used instead of the dangerous and damaging chemotherapy usually given. Results showed that 59 percent of patients had no signs of cancer after treatment with pembrolizumab, with any cancer in the remaining 41 percent of patients removed during surgery.
One form of immunotherapy, called CAR-T cell therapy, involves taking immune T cells from a patient and modifying them in the lab, supercharging them to target cancer cells before injecting them back into the patient15. This technique has proven to be very effective against some blood cancers, but doesn’t work well against all tumors. New research published this year revealed a new, more targeted CAR-T cell that can be remotely controlled to target tumors using focused ultrasound, potentially making treatments safer and more effective16.
How Early Detection Is Changing the Future of Cancer
The latest research on cancer survival highlights a clear pattern: survival is improving, but it depends on more than just treatment. Understanding risk factors, making proactive lifestyle choices, and knowing when to seek help are essential for preventing, detecting, and effectively treating cancer.
Ezra’s full-body and organ-specific scans help detect cancer-related changes early, often before symptoms begin. In many cases, early detection means better options and better outcomes.
Survival starts with knowing. Ezra helps you see what’s happening inside, so you can take action sooner.
What You Can Do to Make a Difference
Every year, National Cancer Survivors Day honors millions who’ve faced cancer and highlights the ongoing challenges survivors experience long after treatment ends. This June, get involved, spread awareness, and help make life after cancer better for everyone.
How You Can Make a Difference
- Join National Cancer Survivors Day – Sunday, June 1, 2025
- Host or attend an awareness walk, fundraiser, or Celebration of Life event – get resources at ncsd.org.
- Show support: Wear a ribbon, use awareness colors, or sport NCSD gear.
- Spread Awareness, post survivor stories, facts, and resources using #NCSD2025.
- Share educational materials at school, work, or online.
- Download trusted resources from cancer.gov or ncsd.org.
- Follow the celebration on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X @survivorsday.
FAQs
Is cancer hereditary?
The risk of some cancers is linked to changes in DNA inherited from your parents. For example, changes in genes called BRCA will significantly increase your risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
What’s the survival rate?
Survival rates vary greatly depending on the type of cancer. In the USA, around 70 percent of people with cancer will live at least five years after their diagnosis.
Is it treatable if caught early?
The vast majority of cancers are treated most easily if they are caught early, before they have had a chance to spread. Regular health checks, for example, Ezra’s full-body or pelvic MRI scans, make early detection and full recovery more likely.
At what age is risk highest?
Cancer risk increases with age, and the majority of cancer diagnoses are made over the age of 70.
What causes cancer?
Cancer is caused by changes in your DNA, called mutations, that cause your cells to divide uncontrollably. These cells can spread around the body, stopping other organs from working.
What are the risk factors for cancer?
Risk factors common to many cancers include tobacco smoking, overconsumption of alcohol, exposure to harmful chemicals, aging, obesity, and inheritance of specific genes.
