Staggering. That’s the first word that comes to mind after reading the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) latest report. In 2025, the ACS estimates 19,700 Arkansans will receive a new cancer diagnosis. Yes, this steady uptick in cases is disheartening. Yet, the data also offers hope. Our overall cancer mortality rate has declined by 1.7% annually over the past decade, thanks to reduced smoking, earlier detection and treatment advances.
While promising, stark disparities in patient outcomes persist. Black Americans and those living in underserved or rural communities continue to experience higher mortality rates for several cancers, including breast, lung, pharynx, prostate and cervical cancer. Cancer incidence rates have declined in men but risen in women. The gender gap is also widening among individuals under 50. In 2021, cancer incidence in women younger than 50 was 82% higher than in men, likely due to shifting risk factors, such as excess body weight.
These challenges reaffirm why CARTI remains laser-focused on our mission: making trusted cancer care accessible. In 2025, with the community’s continued support, we will expand our clinical research trials statewide, enabling more residents to benefit from innovative, front-line research.
How can you support our efforts? Get screened, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Early detection saves lives. Adopt healthy habits—avoid tobacco products, maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol and stay active. Support our mission by contributing at CARTI.com to help expand access to life-saving care.
The ACS’s 2025 report is undeniably eye-opening, highlighting progress and continued challenges. It also serves as a reminder that collective action has saved lives—and will continue to do so. Together, we can create a future where every Arkansan has access to the best cancer care possible and provide hope for ending cancer as we know it.
Sam Makhoul, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Clinical Research Department at CARTI, a not-for-profit, multidisciplinary cancer care network with 18 locations across the state.