What is the incidence of cancer among the general USA population?

Question

My husband is from a big family, and three people in his family have died, or are dying, of cancer in the last few years: a brother, a sister, and a brother-in-law. His siblings and spouses are aged 45 to 70, and there are 20 of us. How does this compare to the percentage of the general population? Would you say cancer is prevalent in his family?

Answer 1

In the U.S. 50% of us will be diagnosed with cancer. It is the number two cause of death and may soon be number one. One in four men and one in five women in the U.S. die from cancer. It sounds like your family numbers are 'better than average'!

Best wishes and good luck.