Cancer Survival Rates: 2 in 3 Cancer Patients Survive 5 Years or More; Prostrate Cancer Has Best Survival Rate of 97% - C.D.C.

Two of three people with cancer survive five years or more, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the C.D.C., the most common cancers are prostate cancer, which has about 128 cases per 100,000 men; female breast with 122 cases per 100,000 women; lung and bronchus with 61 cases per 100,000; and colon and rectum, with 40 cases per 100,000.

Among these, the C.D.C. said, prostate cancer has a 97 percent five-year survival rate; breast cancer, 88 percent; colorectal cancer, 63 percent; and lung cancer, 18 percent.

"We are pleased to include cancer survivor data in this report for the first time. We will review these data annually to track our progress," said Jane Henley, epidemiologist in C.D.C. and lead author of the study.

C.D.C. said its scientists reviewed the most recent data on cases of invasive cancers reported in 2011. Invasive cancer is cancer that has spread to surrounding normal tissue from where it began, the C.D.C. said.

The study noted that there are still disparities in cancer incidence with higher rates among men than women and highest rates among blacks.

The five-year survival after cancer diagnosis was lower for blacks (60 percent) than whites (65 percent).

By state, incidence rates for all cancer sites were 374 cases per 100,000 in New Mexico to 509 cases per 100,000 in the District of Columbia.

"These data are an important reminder that a key to surviving with cancer is making sure everyone has access to care from early diagnosis to treatment," said Dr. Lisa Richardson, director of C.D.C.'s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

The study said there were 1.53 million invasive cancers that were diagnosed and reported in the U.S., except Nevada, in 2011, consisting of 786,102 males and 745,964 females.