AACR Releases Its Annual Cancer Progress Report

On September 17, during a special event in Washington, D.C., AACR CEO Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), and AACR President Lillian L. Siu, MD, FAACR, joined cancer survivors, leading scientists, and other special guests to release the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2025. This annual report catalogues the remarkable progress that has been made against cancer as a result of federally-funded research, and it is a cornerstone of the AACR’s educational and advocacy efforts.

Snapshot of a Year in Progress

The 15th edition of this critical report summarizes the remarkable recent advances made against cancer thanks to breakthroughs in basic, translational, and clinical research. Highlights of the report include the following:

• As of January 1, 2025, more than 18.6 million adults and children with a history of cancer were living in the U.S., representing 5.5% of the total U.S. population.
• Due to a reduction in smoking rates as well as advances in prevention, early detection, and treatment, the age-adjusted overall cancer death rate in the U.S. fell by 34% between 1991 and 2023—a reduction that translates into averting more than 4.5 million deaths from cancer.
• From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 20 new anticancer therapeutics. During the same time frame, the FDA also approved new uses for eight previously approved anticancer therapeutics; two new minimally invasive early detection screening tests, including the first liquid biopsy test; and several AI-powered devices and software tools for aiding in cancer risk prediction, diagnosis, and early detection.

Transformative Advances in Blood Cancer

A special section of the report showcases how research-driven progress against blood cancers—especially over the last 10 years—has significantly decreased blood cancer-related deaths, improved survival rates, and helped survivors live fuller lives. These advances in understanding blood cancers have contributed to the development of groundbreaking treatments not only for hematologic malignancies, but also solid tumors and diseases other than cancer.

Amplifying Patient Voices

The report also features the personal stories of nine cancer patients who have benefited from recent breakthroughs. The stories of these patients—several of whom also participated in the September 17 briefing—offer compelling examples of the real-world impact of cancer research.

A Critical Tool for Advocacy

The day after the special release, AACR leaders and the featured survivors joined more than 430 advocates from 39 states on Capitol Hill for the Rally for Medical Research Hill Day. The AACR Cancer Progress Report 2025 was among the briefing materials provided to the offices of Congressional leaders to demonstrate the critical value of federal funding for medical research.