Welcome to the Office of Cancer Survivorship Program, DCCPS

The NCI Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS) works to enhance the quality and length of survival of all persons diagnosed with cancer and to prevent, minimize, or manage adverse effects of cancer and its treatment.

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Spotlight

UPCOMING PRESENTATION

OCS November Webinar Presents Caregivers: Partners in the Journey of Cancer Survivorship

November 2026 – Register now for this upcoming OCS Steering Committee webinar on November 5, from 
1–2p.m. ET. Dr. J. Nicholas Odom will discuss the vital role caregivers play across the cancer survivorship journey and strategies for supporting caregivers and families.  

Announcement

OCS Commemorates 30 Years and National Cancer Survivors Month

Explore new content honoring people living with and beyond cancer and celebrating three decades of progress in survivorship research, care, and support.

Announcement

NCI Welcomes Dr. Anthony Letai as NCI Director 

Learn more about Anthony Letai, M.D., Ph.D., the 18th director of the National Cancer Institute.

Funding Opportunities for Researchers

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About The Office of Cancer Survivorship

An individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of life. There are many types of survivors, including those living with cancer and those free of cancer. This term is meant to capture a population of those with a history of cancer rather than to provide a label that may or may not resonate with individuals.

OCS works to promote a better understanding of the unique needs of the growing population of cancer survivors and to enhance our ability to address them.

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Featured Graph and Statistic

Individuals Living with Metastatic Cancer

Estimated numbers of individuals living with metastatic cancer in the U.S. on January 1, 2018, by cancer type, and percentage by cancer type who were diagnosed with metastasis de novo versus with early-stage disease that progressed to metastatic disease. Numbers above each bar represent total estimated metastatic prevalence for each cancer type. De novo percentages are: Bladder 71.8% of 15,767, Breast 61.4% of 140,230, Colon and Rectum 43.9% of 133,234, Lung and Bronchus 30.3% of 174.090, Melanoma 69.8% of 38,716, and Prostate 55.0% of 120,368.

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have estimated that 623,405 people in the United States were living with metastatic breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, or bladder cancer or metastatic melanoma as of 2018, and that number is expected to increase to 693,452 by the year 2025.

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Cancer Survivor Statistics

18.1 million survivors

It is estimated that there are 18.6 million cancer survivors in the United States. This represents approximately 5.4% of the population.

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