Self-reported cancer is based on responses to a question about whether respondents had ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that they had cancer or a malignancy of any kind, excluding squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas.

Estimates are age-adjusted to the year 2000 standard population using five age groups: 18-44 years, 45-54 years, 55-64 years, 65-74 years, and 75 years and over. The youngest age group for the sub-populations Less than High School Degree [Age 25+], High School Degree [Age 25+], and Some College or More [Age 25+] is 25-44 years instead of 18-44 years.

Data for some sub-populations in some years are omitted because the estimates have a relative standard error of 20 to 30 percent and are considered unreliable.

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.