What is the most common cause of cancer death for both men and women in the US?

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. This is primarily due to several factors. Lung cancer tends to be diagnosed at a later stage compared to other common cancers, as early-stage lung cancer often does not present symptoms. Additionally, the aggressive nature of lung cancer contributes to its high mortality rate. Smoking remains the leading risk factor for lung cancer, although non-smokers can also develop the disease due to environmental exposures such as secondhand smoke, radon, and air pollution.

Prostate cancer and breast cancer, while they are among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men and women respectively, tend to have better survival rates compared to lung cancer. Colorectal cancer, while also significant, does not surpass lung cancer in terms of cancer-related deaths. The combination of higher incidence, aggressive progression, and late diagnosis aligns lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer fatalities in the U.S.