The figure below shows the estimated incidence and mortality in 2019 for the 3 most common cancers affecting women in the United States, based on the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures 2019. The x-axis lists the specific cancers, and the y-axis shows the projected number of patients affected.
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Which of the following lists of cancers most likely corresponds to Cancers 1, 2, and 3, respectively?
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According to estimates by the American Cancer Society, the most common cancers (excluding basal and squamous cell skin cancer) in 2019 among women living in the United States are (by order of incidence) breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. Although breast cancer has the highest incidence (268,600), its mortality is relatively low (41,760) due to early detection while the tumor is still localized. In contrast, the incidence of lung cancer in women is lower (111,710), but its mortality is higher (66,020), in part because lung cancer tends to be detected later and is less localized (Choice B). Lung cancer has emerged as the leading cause of cancer mortality in women.
(Choices C and D) The incidence of ovarian (22,530) and cervical (13,170) cancers is much lower than that of the three cancers presented in the figure.
(Choice E) The incidence (67,100) and mortality (23,380) of colorectal cancer are lower than that of either breast or lung cancer.
Educational objective:
According to 2019 estimates, the most common cancers (excluding basal and squamous cell skin cancer) in women by order of incidence are breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. In terms of mortality, lung cancer claims the most lives, followed by breast and colorectal cancer.