Lung Cancer Facts

Lung Cancer Awareness

		Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women.
		There will be an estimated 160,390 deaths from lung cancer (89,510 among men and 70,880 among women) in 2007, accounting for around 29% of all cancer deaths. More people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Despite the very serious prognosis of lung cancer, some people are cured and there are currently about 330,000 long-term survivors.

		Nearly 60% of people diagnosed with either type of lung cancer die within one year
		of their diagnosis. Nearly 75% die within 2 years. This has not improved in 10 years. Only about 16% of people diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer survive this disease after 5 years.

		Black men are about 50% more likely to develop non-small cell cancer than white
		men. Both black and white women have a lower rate by 50-60%, with the rate being slightly higher in black women. The rate of non-small cell lung cancer is dropping rapidly in men and much more slowly in women.

		About 85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small cell (NSCLC). There are 3 sub-
		types of NSCLC. The cells in these sub-types differ in size, shape, and chemical make-up when looked at under a microscope.

		Squamous cell carcinoma: About 25% - 30% of all lung cancers are squamous cell
		carcinomas. They are linked to a history of smoking and tend to be found centrally, near a bronchus.

		Adenocarcinoma: This type accounts for about 40% of lung cancers. It is usually
		found in the outer region of the lung. People with one type of Adenocarcinoma, known as bronchiole alveolar carcinoma (sometimes called bronchi alveolar carcinoma) tend to have a better outlook (prognosis) than those with other types of lung cancer.

		Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma: This type of cancer accounts for about 10%
		- 15% of lung cancers. It may appear in any part of the lung, and it tends to grow and spread quickly resulting in a poor prognosis.