U.S. cancer diagnoses will jump 45 percent by 2030

"The rate of new oncologists is not sufficient to keep pace with the rate of retirement," Smith said, adding that by 2030, there will be a shortage of 3,800 oncologists. "That is a great concern."

SHIFT IN DISEASE

For the study, Smith and his team used current the United States Census Bureau statistics and cancer incidence rates to look at how changes in the population will affect the number of people getting cancer.

He found a major shift in new cancers being diagnosed in older adults and minorities -- segments of the population projected to grow rapidly.

"Both older adults and minorities are segments of the patient population that are particularly vulnerable to receiving sub-optimal medical care," Smith said.

He said minorities are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, and death rates, especially for black Americans, are significantly higher compared to white Americans.

Given these statistics, Smith said, screening and prevention become all the more vital.

Cancer remains the No. 2 killer of Americans, with about 560,000 deaths annually, topped only by heart disease.

(Editing by Maggie Fox and Cynthia Osterman)