Estimated Cancer Deaths in 2007

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States among every ethnic group... 1 in every 3 cancer deaths.

Lung cancer will kill: 

    • More people than breast, prostate, colon, live, kidney, and melanoma cancers... combined. 
    • Over three times as many men as prostate cancer. 
    • Nearly twice as many women as breast cancer. 
    • An average of 439 people a day. 
 

*Includes 450 men
Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program http://seer.cancer.gov


Percent of New Lung Cancer Cases

Over 60% of new cases are never smokers or former smokers, many of whom quit decades ago.

One in five women and one in twelve men diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.


Tong L, Spitz MR, Fueger JJ, et al: "Lung carcinoma in former smokers". Cancer 78:1004-10, 1996.
Warner EE, Mulshine JL, "Lung Cancer Screening with Spiral Ct: Toward a work strategy." Oncology (Williston Park). 2004 May; 18(5):564-75, discussion 578, 583-4, 587.


Stage of Diagnosis

Only 16% of lung cancer is being diagnosed at its earliest and most curable stage.

The majority of lung cancer patients are being diagnosed so late that they will die within a year.


Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program: http://seer.cancer.gov

Facts and images gathered at Lung Cancer Alliance.