Lung Cancer Trends

Among men in the United States, the number of new lung cancer cases and the number of deaths from lung cancer have decreased over the last several decades because the number of men who smoke has declined. Death rates for U.S. men are lower than death rates for men in several other countries, but more men die from lung cancer than women.

Among women in the United States, reductions in smoking are more recent, beginning in the late 1970s. Lung cancer death rates for U.S. women are among the highest in the world. For more information about lung cancer rates 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 Trends²

In the United States, incidence of lung cancer has—

• Decreased significantly by 1.8% per year from 1991 to 2005 among men.
• Increased significantly by 0.5% per year from 1991 to 2005 among women.

Among African Americans, incidence has—

• Decreased significantly by 2.9% per year from 1996 to 2005 among men.
• Remained level from 1996 to 2005 among women.

Among Asians/Pacific Islanders, incidence has—

• Decreased significantly by 1.7% per year from 1996 to 2005 among men.
• Remained level from 1996 to 2005 among women.

Among Hispanics, incidence has—

• Decreased significantly by 2.4% per year from 1996 to 2005 among men.
• Remained level from 1996 to 2005 among women.

Death Trends²

In the United States, deaths from lung cancer have—

• Decreased significantly by 1.9% per year from 1993 to 2005 among men.
• Remained level from 2003 to 2005 among women.

Among African Americans, deaths have—

• Decreased significantly by 2.8% per year from 1996 to 2005 among men.
• Remained level from 1996 to 2005 among women.

Among Asians/Pacific Islanders, deaths have—

• Decreased significantly by 1.6% per year from 1996 to 2005 among men.
• Remained level from 1996 to 2005 among women.

Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, deaths have—

• Decreased significantly by 2.3% per year from 1996 to 2005 among men.
• Increased significantly by 2.9% per year from 1996 to 2005 among women.

Among Hispanics, deaths have—

• Decreased significantly by 2.5% per year from 1996 to 2005 among men.
• Remained level from 1996 to 2005 among women.

References

¹U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2001 Surgeon General's Report: Women and Smoking.

²Jemal A, Thun MJ, Ries LA, Howe HL, Weir HK, Center MM, Ward E, Wu XC, Eheman C, Anderson R, Ajani UA, Kohler B, Edwards BK. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2005, featuring trends in lung cancer, tobacco use, and tobacco control. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2008;100(23):1672–1694.

³Ferlay 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.