Why do so many people die of lung cancer each year?
When considering the fact that about 1 of every 5 adults smokes, in the US alone, it’s of no surprise how many lives are lost annually to lung cancer. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and about 160,000 people in the US die from long cancer alone a year. The number is even higher for those that die from smoking tobacco — about 440,000. The truth is, it’s evident that the reason so many people are dying from lung related issues is because so many people choose to drastically reduce their life expectancy by taking up smoking.
Lung cancer is a very common disease – approximately 213,000 people each year in the United States will be diagnosed with it. It is also a very lethal disease – roughly 85% of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer will die of it within five years of their initial diagnosis. This is in stark contrast to diseases such as breast and colon cancer, where one-quarter to one-third of all patients will die from their disease within five years. In addition, lung cancer patients tend to be diagnosed at a later stage (with more advanced disease) than do patients with many other types of cancer. For example, more than three-quarters of lung cancer patients are diagnosed after their disease has spread to other parts of their body, compared to one-half of breast cancer patients. A lack of research funding has slowed progress in developing new treatments for lung cancer. There is considerably less funding available for research on lung cancer than on other types of cancer. In 2007, the National C
Lung cancer is a very common disease – approximately 219,000 people each year in the United States will be diagnosed with it. It is also a very lethal disease – roughly 85% of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer will die of it within five years of their initial diagnosis. This is in stark contrast to diseases such as breast and colon cancer, where one-quarter to one-third of all patients will die from their disease within five years. In addition, lung cancer patients tend to be diagnosed at a later stage (with more advanced disease) than do patients with many other types of cancer. For example, more than three-quarters of lung cancer patients are diagnosed after their disease has spread to other parts of their body, compared to one-half of breast cancer patients. Figure © 2010 National Lung Cancer Partnership. All rights reserved. Download a PowerPoint slide with this chart A lack of research funding has slowed progress in developing new treatments for lung cancer. There is consi
