9/11 cancer cases are rising as survivors now outnumber responders in certified diagnoses.
Nearly 25 years after the September 11 attacks, cancer certifications tied to World Trade Center exposure continue to climb among responders, downtown workers, residents and students.
A New York Post report published Monday said World Trade Center Health Program figures show cancer certifications rose from 3,204 in 2015 to 57,044 in 2026.
The report said that represents a 1,680 percent increase over the past decade.
Survivors Now Outnumber Responders
The shift is especially striking because survivors now account for more certified cancer cases than emergency responders, according to the reported data.
The Post reported 28,913 cancer certifications among survivors, compared with 28,131 among responders.
Survivors include people who lived, worked or went to school in the New York City disaster area after the attacks.
The World Trade Center Health Program says that group can include people present in the dust cloud on September 11, 2001, or those who lived, worked or attended school in the disaster area through July 31, 2002.
CDC Data Shows The Same Pattern
The newest public quarterly report reviewed from the federal program covers data through March 31, 2026.
That CDC program summary listed 54,956 lifetime cancer certification counts, including 27,726 for survivors and 27,230 for responders.
The CDC report also said 67 percent of currently enrolled members had been certified for at least one World Trade Center-related health condition.
The program notes that its dashboard data is preliminary and may change as more information is reviewed.
What A Certification Means
A certification does not simply mean a person has cancer. It means the World Trade Center Health Program has approved a condition for covered treatment after reviewing exposure and medical criteria.
The program says cancer can be certified only when it meets required latency rules and other program policies.
The CDC’s covered conditions page says the program covers cancers such as blood and lymphoid cancers, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, skin cancer and rare cancers.
Rare Cancers Add Concern
The Post reported growing numbers of rare cancers among responders and survivors, including thymus cancer, neuroendocrine cancers, brain cancer and male breast cancer.
The public CDC March report listed neuroendocrine cancer as the most common rare cancer certification category, followed by leukemia, pancreatic cancer and testicular cancer.
The rise is also tied to time. Many people exposed near Ground Zero are now in their late 50s, 60s or 70s, when many cancers become more common.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that about 39.2 percent of U.S. men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.
Health Toll Has Continued For Years
The September 11 attacks killed 2,977 people from 90 nations, according to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The long-term health toll has continued far beyond that day.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund said in a 2026 message that the number of people who have died of 9/11-related health conditions has far surpassed the number killed on the day of the attacks.
The Post reported that at least 9,425 people have died from post-9/11-related illnesses.
Survivors Urged To Seek Screening
Attorney Michael Barasch, whose firm represents many people in the 9/11 health community, told the Post that cancer certifications continue to arrive at a steady pace.
He said early detection can be critical for people who were exposed.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund says people who may be eligible should register, even if they are not currently sick.
The WTC Health Program remains authorized through 2090 and provides no-cost monitoring and treatment for eligible certified conditions.
25 Years Later, The Story Is Still Unfolding
September 11, 2026, will mark 25 years since the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
For many survivors and responders, the anniversary is not only a day of remembrance. It is also a reminder that the health effects of the disaster are still being measured.
As more people age into cancer risk years, doctors, advocates and federal officials are urging those who were exposed to check whether they qualify for monitoring and care.