What Every Woman Should Know About Lung Cancer
Joan Keit, M.D.
Radiation Oncology
Alegent Health Cancer Center 

The Magnitude of the Problem

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women and men in the United States, claiming more lives than breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer combined. It is a common misconception that breast cancer is the leading cancer killer for women. Not true. In fact, since 1987, lung cancer has caused more deaths each year than breast cancer. This year, more than 68,000 women will die from lung cancer. That's more than breast cancer and ovarian cancer combined.

Lung cancer deaths among women have been increasing dramatically, and continue to do so. Over the past 50 years, the deaths from lung cancer among women increased by more than 600%! Over the past 2 decades, the number of lung cancer deaths among women increased 150%, while the number for men has increased about 20%. Tobacco companies have been extremely successful in targeting women, and now very young women, to create new smokers. Today the fastest growing group of new smokers in this country is teen-age girls.

The Risks

Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer. More than 80% of lung cancer cases occur in people who smoke or who are former smokers. Smoking cessation reduces the risk of lung cancer, but former smokers remain at higher risk than people who never smoked. The risk increases with increasing quantity, duration, and intensity of smoking.

Secondary smoke causes approximately 3,000 deaths yearly. Sixty-five percent of deaths due to secondary smoke occur in women.

Non-tobacco related causes of lung cancer include exposure to asbestos, radon, diesel fuel fumes, and certain toxic chemicals.

Some people get lung cancer who have none of the above risk factors. Each year about 25,000 non-smokers are diagnosed with lung cancer, and a greater proportion are women. In fact, non-smokers are 2 to 3 times more likely to be women than men.

Lung Cancer Affects Women Differently Than Men

Women may be more susceptible to developing lung cancer than men. Research shows women are approximately 1.5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than men with similar smoking habits. In other words, cigarette for cigarette, women have a 1.5 times higher risk of developing lung cancer. Research from the NCI suggests a genetic predisposition for lung cancer in women. It appears women break down carcinogens, (cancer-causing chemicals) in cigarette smoke differently than men.

Research Needed

The National Cancer Institute funding for lung cancer research is far less than for other types of cancer. In 2003, it spent an estimated

• $1,740 per lung cancer death
• $13,649 per breast cancer death
• $10,560 per prostate cancer death, and
• $4,581 per colorectal cancer death.

Research funding may be low due to the smoking connection. Public sympathy for lung cancer victims is lacking, because of the perception that it's the victim's fault. Education in smoking prevention and cessation is paramount, and we need research funding to treat this devastating disease.

If you would like more information on lung cancer prevention, screening and treatment, contact Dr. Keit.