Trends

Decreases in lung cancer cases and death rates among males stem from reductions in smoking that began several decades ago. Among females, reductions in smoking are more recent, beginning in the late 1970s. Lung cancer death rates for U.S. females are among the highest in the world. Death rates for U.S. males are lower than rates among males in several other countries, although rates among males are still higher than rates among females in the United States. (For more information about rates of lung cancer in different countries, visit CANCERMondial* a project of the International Agency for Research on Cancer). Programs and policies that discourage smoking are vital to keep reducing the number of lung cancer cases and deaths.^{1 2 3}

Incidence Trends

In the United States, incidence of lung cancer has

• decreased significantly by 0.7% per year from 1991 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 1.8% per year from 1991 to 2004 among men.
• remained level from 1998 to 2004 among women.

Among African Americans, incidence has

• decreased significantly by 0.8% per year from 1985 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 1.7% per year from 1984 to 2004 among men.
• remained level from 1990 to 2004 among women.

Among Asian/Pacific Islanders, incidence has

• decreased significantly by 0.7% per year from 1995 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 1.0% per year from 1995 to 2004 among men.
• remained level from 1995 to 2004 among women.

Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, incidence has

• remained level from 1995 to 2004 among men and women combined.
• remained level from 1995 to 2004 among men.
• remained level from 1995 to 2004 among women.

Among Hispanics, incidence has

• decreased significantly by 2.1% per year from 1995 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 2.6% per year from 1995 to 2004 among men.
• decreased significantly by 1.4% per year from 1995 to 2004 among women.

Mortality Trends

In the United States, deaths from lung cancer have

• decreased significantly by 1.0% per year from 1995 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 2.0% per year from 1994 to 2004 among men.
• increased significantly by 0.2% per year from 1995 to 2004 among women.

Among African Americans, deaths have

• decreased significantly by 1.6% per year from 1995 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 2.7% per year from 1994 to 2004 among men.
• increased significantly by 0.4% per year from 1992 to 2004 among women.

Among Asian/Pacific Islanders, deaths have

• decreased significantly by 1.4% per year from 1995 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 1.3% per year from 1995 to 2004 among men.
• decreased significantly by 1.2% per year from 1995 to 2004 among women.

Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, deaths have

• remained level from 1995 to 2004 among men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 3.8% per year from 1995 to 2004 among men.
• increased significantly by 1.4% per year from 1995 to 2004 among women.

Among Hispanics, deaths have

• decreased significantly by 1.6% per year from 1995 to 2004 for men and women combined.
• decreased significantly by 2.5% per year from 1995 to 2004 among men.
• remained level from 1995 to 2004 among women.

Source for trend data: Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, Mariotto A, Miller BA, Feuer EJ, Clegg L, Horner MJ, Howlader N, Eisner MP, Reichman M, Edwards BK (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2004, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on November 2006 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER Web site, 2007.

References

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General (2001).
2. Wingo et al. Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1973–1996, With a Special Section on Lung Cancer and Tobacco Smoking. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1999 April 21;91(8):675–690.
3. Ferlay J, Bray F, Pisani P, Parkin DM. GLOBOCAN 2002: Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide. IARC CancerBase No. 5. version 2.0, IARCPress, Lyon, 2004.
    

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