A cure for cancer would deliver $185T economic windfall, report says

By Fox News · Fox News

EXCLUSIVE: For decades, curing cancer has been medicine’s holy grail. Now economists say it could also be the ultimate economic jackpot, delivering an estimated $185 trillion to the U.S. economy. At a time when policymakers are weighing the cost of medical research against ballooning federal deficits, the report argues that curing cancer would pay for itself many times over. The report, released by Unleash Prosperity, a free-market policy group, finds that eliminating cancer mortality would not only save millions of lives — it would dramatically strengthen the economy through longer lifespans, increased workforce participation and higher tax revenues. NEARLY 40% OF CANCERS CAN BE PREVENTED WITH 3 LIFESTYLE CHANGES, STUDY FINDS The stakes are enormous. Between 2030 and 2064, researchers project that roughly 30.7 million Americans will die from cancer under the current trajectory — losses that would carry not only a profound human toll, but a sweeping economic cost. The research, conducted by economists Steve Moore and Tomas Philipson, estimates that fully eliminating cancer mortality would generate $185 trillion in total economic benefits over 35 years. That translates to roughly $15,000 per American per year, or about $39,000 annually for the average household — gains driven by longer lifespans, stronger workforce participation and expanded economic output. DEADLY CANCER RISK SPIKES WITH CERTAIN LEVEL OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, STUDY FINDS Even short of a cure, the economic upside remains substantial. Recognizing that a complete cure may not be immediately achievable, the study models a more realistic scenario in which cancer deaths are reduced by 80% over two decades. Under that scenario, the projected gains would still total nearly $130 trillion — roughly 70% of the value of full elimination — amounting to about $10,500 per person per year. Moore said reducing cancer deaths could boost productivity enough to meaningfully accelerate U.S. economic growth. "If we could…