Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States, accounting for 15 percent of cancers in men and 14 percent of cancers in women, according to the American Cancer Society. Lung cancer is a particularly dangerous form of cancer, with an overall five-year survival rate of 15 percent, reports ACS. Most lung cancer is linked to cigarette smoking. Decreasing smoking among the U.S. population can prevent a substantial number of lung cancer deaths.
Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths of American women and men. The American Cancer Society reports approximately 159,400 Americans died of lung cancer in 2009, with a slight preponderance of men. Although breast and prostate cancer occur more frequently, these cancers cause far few deaths than lung cancer. The number of lung cancer deaths among women is 74 percent higher than the number of breast cancer deaths. Among men, the number of lung cancer deaths is more than triple the number of prostate cancer deaths.
Cigarette Smoking
In a 2007 review article published in the journal "Chest," Dr. Anthony Alberg and colleagues report cigarette smoking is the primary cause for approximately 90 percent of lung cancer cases in the United States. Compared with people who have never smoked, active smokers have approximately a 20-fold higher risk of developing lung cancer. Importantly, the risk of lung cancer decreases among those who stop smoking. The level of risk progressively decreases over time.
Environmental Radon
The National Cancer Institute reports that environmental radon exposure is the second most common cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is an odorless, radioactive gas that seeps through the soil in areas with high ground uranium content. As a radioactive substance, radon gas may damage the genetic material of lung cells. Genetic damage can accumulate, eventually giving rise to lung cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, between 15,000 to 22,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths occur annually in the United States. The U.S. Surgeon General and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend radon testing of homes and schools.
Minority Health Disparity
In the journal "Chest" review article, Epidemiology of Lung Cancer, Dr. Alberg and colleagues point out that lung cancer incidence is approximately 45 percent higher among black males compared with white males. In addition, black men and women in the United States have a lower lung cancer survival rate compared with those of Caucasian descent.
Female Survival Advantage
Overall, women respond more favorably to lung cancer treatment and have higher survival rates compared to men with lung cancer. In the 2007 review article titled, "Lung Cancer in Women" published in the journal "Chest," Dr. Leno Thomas and colleagues report the female survival advantage is seen with small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, and with localized and advanced disease. Determining the biological mechanisms underlying the female survival advantage in lung cancer is an area of active medical research.
