Approximately 219,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. each year – over 103,000 women and nearly 116,000 men and kills more than 160,000 people annually – more people than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. It is responsible for more than 28% of all cancer-related deaths every year.

Roughly 84% of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within five years of their diagnosis, compared to 11% of breast cancer and less than 1% of prostate cancer patients.

While this may sound depressing, it should be borne in mind that people tend to control their risk factors for the disease by making lifestyle choices. It would be surprising if any reader is not aware that smoking dramatically increases the risk of contracting the disease, nor that passive smoking is linked to increased incidence of lung cancer amongst those who do not smoke.
Nevertheless, the incidence of lung cancer is primarily constrained to the elderly, i.e. those over the age of 65 years. Lung cancer is rarely found in patients under the age of 45 (less than 3%), and more than 70% are over 65.

The incidence of lung cancer rose dramatically from the 1930′s as tobacco smoking took hold and became fashionable and socially acceptable. On a global basis, it can be seen that lung cancer rises where anti-smoking education is not practised, however, where countries implement smoker awareness campaigns and it becomes recognized that smoking is a major factor in disposition for contracting the disease.

Men’s mortality (death) rates from lung cancer began declining more than 20 years ago, while women’s lung cancer mortality rates have been rising for decades and just recently began to stabilize. African Americans experience the highest incidence of lung cancer, and the highest death rate.

Less money is spent on lung cancer research than on research on other cancers. In 2007, the National Cancer Institute estimated it spent only it spent only $1,415 per lung cancer death compared to $13,991 per breast cancer death, $10,945 per prostate cancer death, and $4,952 per colorectal cancer.

It is clear from this data that while lung cancer is on the rise in the general population, that there is much work still to be done on researching the condition and developing effective treatments. While anti-smoking legislation and education continue to persuade smokers to quit and non-smokers from starting, we can anticipate a return to the low rates of incidence of this condition in the future. However, at this point in time, it is reasonable to assume that there will in fact be a spike in lung cancer diagnoses as those who have a history of smoking, even though they may have quit, develop the condition.

The very strongest advice for anyone who is concerned about developing lung cancer is simply this – do not smoke! If you already smoke, then quit – there are numerous programs which are highly effective in helping nicotine addicts with kicking the habit and the benefits in financial and health terms is enormous. Stopping smoking very quickly leads to a reduced risk as the lungs can heal very quickly and it is estimated that over 15 years of abstinence, the risk will fall to close to normal levels for non-smokers. If you already do not smoke, then never start!

Find the right doctor for lung cancer treatments Early diagnosis can lead to successful results. For Other information Check out Health Facts

Related posts:

1. An Overview Of Cancer
2. Finding Articles on Lung Cancer
3. Lung Cancer Can Be Deadly
4. Prostate Cancer Question And Answer
5. Articles on Lung Cancer