By: Helen Polaski
When viewing lung cancer statistics, it becomes crystal clear that this is one of the most deadly diseases and one that everyone should take seriously. Lung cancer is occurring at an alarming rate, and it can kill.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is the growth of tumors in the lungs. The two main types that occur in the lungs themselves are small-cell cancer and nonsmall or large-cell cancer. Mesothelioma lung cancer is a third type that grows in the lining found within the chest cavity.
- When all forms of cancer are combined, cancer is the leading cause of deaths worldwide.
- Lung cancer is the most deadly form of cancer.
- Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer found in men.
- According to some figures, lung cancer is also pushing to the forefront to become the most frequent cancer found in women.
- Tobacco use is the number one risk factor for developing lung cancer.
- Radon exposure can also lead to cancer.
- Approximately 3% of all lung cancer cases are diagnosed in people under the age of 45; most people are approximately 65 years of age or older when they are diagnosed with lung cancer.
- Currently, the only way mesothelioma lung cancer develops is from asbestos exposure.
- Lung cancer accounts for approximately 31% of all male cancer deaths and approximately 26% of all female cancer deaths in the United States.
- In 2005, 107,416 men and 89,271 women were diagnosed with some form of lung cancer. In the same year, 90,139 men and 69,078 women died from lung cancer.
- Between 80% and 90% of all diagnosed cases of lung cancer were caused by smoking.
- Lung cancer has very low survival rates.
- The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009, approximately 219,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed and approximately 159,000 deaths from lung cancer will occur.
- Black males are approximately 40% more likely to develop lung cancer in their lifetime than white males.
- According to the National Lung Cancer Partnership, 1 in 16 women will develop lung cancer and 1 in every 13 men will develop lung cancer.
- While there is only a 16% 5-year survival rate, lung cancer does not always lead to death. Approximately 40,000 people who are alive today were diagnosed with lung cancer at some point in their lives.
Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Statistics
- Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos.
- Asbestos must get into the lungs in order to cause this form of cancer.
- This type of cancer takes a long time to manifest.
- Most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are men.
- Mesothelioma is rare in people who are younger than 55.
- Mesothelioma is not common. The majority of the cases of mesothelioma occurred between the years of 1970 and 1990, during or shortly after the time when asbestos was used in many types of commercial and home construction.
