What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the lung — usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other type of cancer.
Who does lung cancer affect?
The average chance that a man will develop lung cancer in his lifetime is about 1 in 13. For a woman, it is 1 in 16. These numbers include both smokers and non-smokers. For smokers, the risk is much higher. The estimated new cases and deaths from lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell combined) in the United States in 2011 are as follows:
New cases: 221,130
Deaths: 156,940
There are more than 400,000 lung cancer survivors in the U.S. today.
What are the risk factors of lung cancer?
- Tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke causes nearly 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer. The longer a person has been smoking and the more packs a day smoked, the greater the risk.
- Radon. People who work in mines may be exposed to radon. In some parts of the country, radon is found in houses. The risk of lung cancer from radon is higher for smokers.
- Asbestos and other substances. Exposure to asbestos, arsenic, chromium, nickel, soot, tar, and other substances can cause lung cancer. The risk is highest for those with years of exposure.
- Air pollution. Air pollution may slightly increase the risk of lung cancer. The risk from air pollution is higher for smokers.
- Family history of lung cancer. People with a father, mother, brother, or sister who had lung cancer may be at slightly increased risk of the disease, even if they don’t smoke.
- Personal history of lung cancer. People who have had lung cancer are at increased risk of developing a second lung tumor.
- Age over 65. Most people are older than 65 years when diagnosed with lung cancer.
How do you screen for lung cancer?
Currently, there is no generally accepted screening test for lung cancer. Several methods of detecting lung cancer have been studied as possible screening tests. The methods under study include tests of sputum (mucus brought up from the lungs by coughing), chest x-rays, or spiral (helical) CT scans. If you think you have symptoms of lung cancer, talk to your primary care physician. The sooner it’s detected, the better.
Get more information.
Visit the American Cancer Society’s section on lung cancer, or read the National Cancer Institute’s online booklet, What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer.