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Leading cancer types

A ranking of the top 10 cancer types by output reveals a strong lead for breast cancer, at more than 1,500 Share points ahead of lung cancer, in second.

Strong focus

Among the leading 25 locations for cancer Share from 2021 to 2025*, these locations had the highest cancer output as a proportion of their overall Share in the Nature Index (cancer Share %). Cancer is a significant area of research for these places, accounting for around 10% of their total output in the natural- and health-sciences journals tracked by the index.

Regional spread

A breakdown of country/territory Share in cancer-related articles in the Nature Index for the period 2021 to 2025* shows how close the United States and China are in output. Both countries contribute about 30% of global cancer Share. The United Kingdom, with the third highest Share, contributes 4.55%.

Source: Nature Index. *Data for 2021 to 2025 cover January 2021 to August 2025

Article growth

These are the six fastest rising cancer subtypes by absolute increase in Share in the Nature Index between 2021 and 2025†. Breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer also had the highest Share for the period.

Rising fast

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Nature 652, S8-S9 (2026)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00690-x

This article is part of Nature Index 2026 Cancer, an editorially independent supplement. Advertisers have no influence over the content. For more information about Nature Index, see the homepage.

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Here are the top locations for cancer research in the Nature Index