| Demographic Group: | All resident persons. |
| Numerator: | Incident cases of cancer with an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-O-2 or ICD-O-3 (for cases diagnosed after January 1, 2001) code C34 and behavior >= 3 (malignant, primary site) among residents during a calendar year (certain histologic types are excluded). |
| Denominator: | Midyear resident population for the same calendar year. |
| Measures of Frequency: | Annual number of incident cases. Annual incidence — crude and age-adjusted (standardized by the direct method to the year 2000 standard U.S. population based on single years of age from the Census P25-1130 series estimates*) — with 95% confidence interval. |
| Time Period of Case Definition: | Calendar year. |
| Background: | During 2001, cancer of the lung was the most common cause of cancer mortality, accounting for approximately 157,400 deaths. Approximately 170,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. In the United States, incidence of lung cancer among women is increasing. Both incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer are approximately two times higher among men than women. |
| Significance: | Cigarette smoking accounts for 80%–90% of lung cancer. Lung cancer is also associated with environmental tobacco smoke and certain workplace exposures. A healthy diet might reduce risk. |
| Limitations of Indicator: | Because lung cancer has a long latency period, behavior changes affecting the incidence of lung cancer might not be apparent for years. |
| Data Resources: | Cancer incidence data from statewide central cancer registries (numerator) and population estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census or suitable alternative (denominator).
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/uscs/Table.aspx?Group=TableGeo&Year=2001&Display=n |
| Limitations of Data Resources: | Data from certain existing statewide central cancer registries do not yet meet standards for data completeness and quality. Certain newly established state registries have not yet begun to produce surveillance data. Therefore, nationwide estimates calculated from aggregated state data might not include data from each state. However, state registry data should accurately represent state cancer incidence in the majority of states, particularly where completeness and quality of registry data are high. |
| Healthy People 2010 Objectives: | No objective. |
