Lung Cancer

Lung cancer up 200% for women since '70s

NEW REPORT: HIGHER DEATH IN REMOTE AND POORER AREAS

The number of women dying from lung cancer in NSW has increased almost 200 per cent over the past three decades as a result of smoking, but the number of deaths may have reached a peak according to a new report released today by The Cancer Council NSW.

CEO of The Cancer Council, Dr Andrew Penman, says lung cancer deaths among women may start to fall over the next few years reflecting the decrease in female smoking rates over the past 20 years.

"However, for lung cancer deaths to begin to fall among women we need to ensure that smoking rates also continue to fall. We also shouldn't forget that lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer."

The report, Lung Cancer in NSW in 1973 to 1998, also reveals the disease is higher in more remote areas. Between the mid 70's and mid 90's, lung cancer rates among men fell in metropolitan areas and regional centres, but rose in more remote areas. In women, the rates doubled in metropolitan areas and major regional centres and tripled in more remote areas.

"Higher rates of lung cancer were also recorded in the lower socio-economic areas, including parts of Sydney and in far western NSW. We know from previous studies that this is directly related to the higher rates of smoking in these areas," Dr Penman said.

"It's distressing that the overwhelming majority of lung cancers are preventable and that it's one of the hardest cancers to treat and one of the most deadly. Survival from the disease is very poor, and our report shows that only 1-in-5 people with lung cancer are still alive two years after their diagnosis," he said.

The new report also shows that the incidence of lung cancer for males decreased from 1973 to 1998 in all age groups below 75 years, however, the incidence for females increased in all age groups with the largest rise occurring in women aged 64-84 years.

About 2,200 people in NSW die from lung cancer each year, and 1-in-19 males and 1-in-45 females are expected to develop the disease by the age of 75. There are many leading resources for general lung cancer and the many sub types, a newer site launched recently called fightmesothelioma.com which is focused on asbestos related illnesses. The Lung Cancer in NSW in 1973 to 1998 report is available at www.cancercouncil.com.au.

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