Lung Cancer Is a Woman's Worst Cancer Threat

More Education and Funding Needed to Combat Disease

More women die each year from lung cancer than breast cancer, yet there is much less awareness of lung cancer in women, health professionals say.

"We need to educate the American public that this is a major health problem, and if progress is to be made, more funding for research will be necessary," says Bonnie Glisson, M.D., professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology at M. D. Anderson and board member of the non-profit group Women Against Lung Cancer (WALC).

Statistics support call for awareness

This year, 68,510 women in the United States are expected to die from lung cancer, and 40,110 women are expected to die from breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The 5-year survival rate for breast cancer has increased from 75% in the seventies to 88% in the nineties, Glisson says. This is compared to static 13% and 15% rates for lung cancer in the same two time periods, respectively. Much of the improvement in breast cancer survival is attributed to increased diagnosis of early stage disease with screening mammography. Lung cancer, which does not have an accepted screening test, is more frequently diagnosed at advanced stage, when cures are infrequent or not possible.

This is why we need to focus research efforts on lung cancer, Glisson says.

Stigma clouds public perception of disease

Another challenge is lessening the stigma attached to lung cancer. "Many people think those who smoke deserve lung cancer, but nobody deserves this malignancy," she says. "Further, a significant percentage of lung cancer diagnoses are made in former smokers, and approximately 15% of cases occur in people who have never smoked."

Because the majority of patients with lung cancer are current or former smokers, however, the number one way for people to reduce their risk is to never start smoking or to stop.

Other tips for fighting lung cancer:

• Stop smoking as soon as possible - risk is tied to the amount of time a person has smoked
• Be aware that if a person has smoked in the past they have an increased risk of lung cancer for many years and possibly the rest of their life
• Talk to children about the health effects of smoking to help prevent them from starting
• See a doctor for possible symptoms (whether a smoker or non-smoker):
• • Persistent cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Hoarseness
  • Persistent chest or shoulder pain
  • Weight loss
  • Unusual fatigue or loss of appetite
• Ask a doctor about chest imaging (chest X-rays and/or CT scans) if there are symptoms
• Get a second opinion (if diagnosed) from a major medical institution with specialized oncologists