Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, and go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the second most common cause of death globally, accounting for millions of deaths every year. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women. However, these are not necessarily the deadliest forms of cancer.

What makes cancer the deadliest depends upon how many people have it and what percentage of those people actually survive. Cancer researchers determine this on the basis of five-year relative survival. This is the percentage of people who are expected to survive the effects of a given cancer, excluding their risk of other possible causes of death, for five years past a diagnosis. It is also important to note that what makes cancer really deadly is that practically no cure for it. A cure for cancer would imply that there are no cancerous cells remaining in the body.

Here are the 5 deadliest cancers in the U.S., according to SEER five-year relative survival data for cases diagnosed between 2014 and 2020.

1. Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas, a gland in your abdomen that aids digestion, mutate and multiply out of control, forming a tumour. Major risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, certain genetic mutations and environmental chemical exposure.

2. Esophageal cancer develops in the oesophagus, which is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach.

3. Liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer originate in the liver or bile ducts, often linked to hepatitis infections, heavy alcohol use, obesity, and aflatoxin exposure.

4. Lung and bronchus cancer primarily caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, and environmental pollutants, affects the lungs and airways, making it the leading cause of cancer death in the US.

5. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer that progresses rapidly, often linked to genetic mutations, radiation exposure, and certain chemicals.

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approval of Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel), making it the first gene therapy approved for children as young as 2 years with sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT).

Earlier, the one-time CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy was approved only for patients aged 12 years and older. The expanded label is expected to make approximately 5,500 additional children in the US eligible for treatment, the company said.

Why The Expanded Approval Matters

The FDA said earlier intervention could help prevent irreversible organ damage and improve long-term health outcomes.

“With today’s decision, pediatric patients as young as 2 years of age can now access a critical additional treatment option to treat these debilitating, life-threatening diseases,” said Karim Mikhail, Acting Director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).

"Making this therapy available to younger patients opens a critical window for intervention and gives these children a meaningful chance at a healthier future," added Megha Kaushal, Acting Deputy Director of the FDA's Office of Therapeutic Products.

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Clinical Trial Results

The expanded approval is backed by clinical trial data in children aged 5 to under 12 years.

For sickle cell disease:

• All 8 evaluable patients experienced no severe vaso-occlusive crises (painful episodes) for at least 12 consecutive months within the first two years after treatment.

For transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia:

• Eight of nine evaluable patients achieved transfusion independence for at least 12 consecutive months.
• The median duration of transfusion independence was 20.1 months.

What Is Casgevy?

Casgevy is a one-time gene-editing therapy that uses CRISPR technology to modify a patient's own blood stem cells, enabling the body to produce healthier red blood cells.

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For people with sickle cell disease, it aims to prevent painful vaso-occlusive crises. In beta thalassemia, it can eliminate the need for regular blood transfusions in many patients.

“These disorders carry a heavy burden for children and their families, affecting growth, development, and long-term health in profound ways,” said Kaushal, also a pediatric hematologist. “Grounded in the scientific evidence that earlier treatment reduces the risk of lasting end-organ damage, making this therapy available to younger patients opens a critical window for intervention and gives these children a meaningful chance at a healthier future.”

The FDA granted the expanded approval through its Commissioner's National Priority Voucher program, completing the review in 53 days.

Vertex said it has also submitted applications to expand Casgevy's use in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, where regulatory reviews are currently underway.

A popular snack brand is currently under scrutiny after its multiple products were classified under the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Class I recall. The move came after concerns over its product being contaminated with Salmonella surfaced.

Why Did The Product Get Recalled?

According to the FDA, the recall was initiated in May by Utz Quality Foods LLC after the company found out that a seasoning ingredient containing milk powder, sourced from California Dairies Inc. through a third-party supplier, may have been contaminated with Salmonella.

The recall affects a few varieties of its Zapp's and Dirty’s potato chips, including Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch, Big Cheezy, and Salt and Vinegar potato chips, as well as Dirty brand Salt and Vinegar, Maui Onion, and Sour Cream and Onion potato chips.

According to the FDA, Utz said the seasoning batches tested negative before being used in production, but the decision to recall the products was taken as a precautionary measure.

While no illnesses have been reported yet, the FDA's move indicates there is a reasonable probability that consuming these products could result in adverse health consequences and even death.

Also read: Cyclospora Parasite Spreads Across 17 US States: How To Prevent Parasitic Infection

What Does FDA’s Class I Recall Signify?

The FDA uses three categories to classify product recalls based on the level of public health risk. A Class I recall is usually reserved for products that pose the highest risk to consumers.

It is issued when there is a reasonable probability that consumption or use of the product will cause serious health problems or death.

What Is Salmonella & How Serious It Is?

Salmonella infection, known as salmonellosis, usually develops between six hours and six days after consuming contaminated food.

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Common symptoms of salmonellosis include:

• Diarrhea

• Fever

• Stomach cramps

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Headache

Most healthy people recover within four to seven days without targeted treatment. However, it can become severe when the infection enters the bloodstream. Deemed as a medical emergency, this situation prompts urgent attention.

Those with weakened immunity systems, such as young children, older adults, and women who are expecting are at the greatest risk of developing serious complications from salmonellosis. In rare cases, the infection can become life-threatening.

The FDA has advised consumers not to eat the recalled potato chips. It has also said that anyone who has purchased the affected products should either discard them or return them to the place where they bought them for a refund.

The regulatory body has also said that consumers who experience symptoms of salmonellosis after eating the recalled products, especially those at higher risk for complications, should seek medical care immediately.

Although no infection cases linked to the recalled chips have been reported to date, health officials say the recall is intended to prevent potential cases before they occur.

Women diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) should receive an annual NHS health review and be diagnosed earlier to reduce their long-term health risks, according to draft guidance released by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The guidance, now open for public consultation, recommends yearly reviews to monitor symptoms, treatment and the risk of developing serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Earlier diagnosis, NICE says, could help people access timely care and make lifestyle changes before complications develop.

PMOS, until recently known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), was renamed following an international consensus published in The Lancet. The new name better reflects the condition's endocrine, metabolic and ovarian features.

What Does The Draft Guideline Recommend?

Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women

NICE recommends that everyone diagnosed with PMOS should be offered an annual review covering:

• Menstrual irregularities
• Symptoms such as excess hair growth (hirsutism)
• Medication use
• Screening for long-term health risks, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease

The guideline also includes recommendations on fertility treatment, stating that eligible patients should be offered IVF in line with existing NHS fertility guidance. It also addresses the management of common PMOS-related conditions, including acne, hirsutism and obstructive sleep apnea.

Given the increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in people with PMOS, the guidance directs healthcare professionals to relevant NICE recommendations for managing these conditions.

Earlier Diagnosis A Key Priority

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The draft guideline highlights that PMOS remains underdiagnosed despite affecting an estimated one in eight women.

It recommends investigating PMOS in anyone with irregular or absent menstrual cycles alongside signs of excess male hormones, as these are common indicators of the condition.

The guidance covers girls aged over 10, as well as adult women, trans men and non-binary people who are not receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgery.

People with suspected PMOS should be offered blood tests to measure hormone levels and, where appropriate, pelvic ultrasound scans. The guideline also states that PMOS should not be ruled out after menopause and notes that the condition may be more prevalent among women of Black, Asian and mixed ethnic backgrounds.

Marie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical adviser for women's and reproductive health at NICE, said the guidance is intended to improve consistency of care and ensure people receive appropriate long-term monitoring.

"PMOS is a common but often overlooked condition that can have a major impact on health and well-being. Recommending a simple annual review is an important step towards ensuring people get the ongoing care and monitoring they need," Ledingham said, in a statement.

Mental Health And Fertility Addressed

The draft guidance recognizes that PMOS affects far more than reproductive health. It is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, pregnancy complications and fertility problems.

For people planning a pregnancy, NICE recommends advice on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, good sleep and mental wellbeing to improve reproductive outcomes.

The guidance also stresses that eating disorders should not be overlooked or dismissed based solely on a person's weight.

Laser Hair Removal Not Recommended

While the draft guideline includes recommendations to manage hirsutism, it does not support routine NHS funding for laser and light-based hair removal therapies. NICE concluded that these treatments are not cost-effective, estimating they could cost the NHS "up to £100 million annually" in England if routinely funded.

The draft guideline is open for consultation until August 11, 2026, with the final NICE guidance on PMOS expected to be published in December 2026.