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The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for lung
cancer in the United States are for 2009:
- 219,440 new cases of lung cancer (both small cell and
non-small cell)
- 159,390 deaths from lung cancer
Lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) is the
leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. More people die
of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
Lung cancer is rare in people under the age of 45.
The average lifetime chance that a man will develop lung
cancer is about 1 in 13. For a woman it is 1 in 16. These numbers
include both smokers and non-smokers. For smokers the risk is much
higher, while for non-smokers the risk is lower.
Survival statistics based on the stage (extent) of the cancer
are covered in the section, "How
is non-small cell lung cancer treated?" Despite the very
serious outlook for people with lung cancer, some people are cured.
Last Medical Review: 11/03/2009
Last Revised: 11/03/2009
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