In the United States, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death taking the lives of 422 people every day. That’s one person every 3.4 minutes. Although it affects both men and women in every ethnic group, lung cancer is the leading killer among women, surpassing breast cancer.
Although it affects both men and women in every ethnic group, lung cancer is the leading killer among women, surpassing breast cancer. People 65 or older are also at higher risk, making up 69% of yearly lung cancer diagnoses.
The Lung Cancer Foundation estimates that this year:
- There will be 234,030 cases of lung cancer diagnosed within the U.S.
- 154,050 cases of lung cancer will result in death.
- Roughly 70,000 of those deaths will be American women.
- Only 16% of people will be diagnosed in the earliest stage, when the disease is most treatable.
Approximately 18% of Americans diagnosed with lung cancer are not smokers; however, other causes include exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke, radon and asbestos. If lung cancer is found early before it spreads, the mortality rate can decrease by up to 20%.
Help raise awareness this November by wearing a pearl or white ribbon, sharing facts on social media, donating to cancer research or sharing a lung cancer survivor story.