Juliette Mullin, senior editor

Research has shown for some time that the prognosis for someone diagnosed with cancer today is better than it was even just 20 years ago. But new data published in JAMA Oncology show just how much better it really is: An adult ages 50 to 64 diagnosed with cancer between 2005 and 2009 was 39% to 68% less likely to die from the disease within five years than someone diagnosed between 1990 and 1994.

But, despite major improvements, survival rates still vary significantly based on age, gender, and—most of all—cancer type.