Lung and bronchus, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers account for about half of all cancer deaths. These are also the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for about 50% of all new cancer cases. Here are some other facts about these cancers. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.

Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer. It causes about 90 percent of lung cancer cases. Tobacco smoke contains many of the chemicals that cause lung cancer. If you still smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your lung health.

Smoking is the primary cause of the high mortality rate of lung cancer. Other contributing factors include radon gas, secondhand smoke, asbestos, radiation, air pollution and diesel exhaust. Colorectal cancer contributing factors include a highly processed diet, environmental toxins, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. In urban areas, the incidence rate of breast cancer is higher due to earlier diagnosis and a higher percentage of the population being screened. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers in women.

Lung: Leading cause of cancer deaths with 1.8 million deaths in 2020. The high mortality rate of lung cancer is primarily due to smoking.

Colorectal: Second leading cause of cancer death in 2020, with 916,000 deaths.

Pancreatic: An aggressive cancer that often kills quickly.

Breast cancer: Third leading cause of cancer death in 2020, with 685,000 deaths.

Liver: Third leading cause of cancer deaths in 2020, with 830,000 deaths.

Other causes of cancer include:

Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, air pollution and certain chronic infections.