Lung cancer overtakes breast cancer as leading cause of cancer death in women
This finding comes as a study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals
lung cancer has overtaken
breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in developed countries.
Only last week,
Medical News Todayreported on a study published in the
Annals of Oncology, which suggested lung cancer death rates will
overtake breast cancer death rates among European women in 2015.
Lung cancer is already the leading cause of cancer death among men in developed countries. In the US, men have a 1 in 15 chance of dying from the condition at some point in their lives.
The researchers of this latest study, which is published in
CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, say the fact that lung cancer has now surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women in developed countries reflects the later onset of the tobacco epidemic in this population.
In addition, the researchers note there is a rise in the number of cancer cases related to infection in developing countries, such as liver, stomach and cervical cancers. Increasingly, developing countries are adopting more Western lifestyles, which is also causing a rise in cancers that were once rare in these areas, such as
colorectal cancer.
MNT asked Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the ACS, what can be done to lower cancer risk in developing countries. He replied:
“We can reduce this risk with smoking prevention and cessation, attention to diet,
obesity and exercise issues, and attention to infectious disease prevention – such as
HPVand
hepatitis B and C.
Screening for a select number of diseases has a place – colon and cervix screening especially, and some focus on breast screening.”
The study authors add that further research into the causes of many major cancers – such as
prostate cancer, which affects around 1 in 7 American men in their lifetime – is warranted.
Today is World Cancer Day. This year’s campaign – under the tagline of “Not Beyond Us” – focuses on the importance of early detection, achieving treatment for all affected individuals, enhancing the quality of life for people with cancer, as well as encouraging healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer risk.
Visit the
World Cancer Day websiteto find out more about this year’s campaign and to donate to the Declaration Fund, which aims to help raise cancer awareness and provide support to people affected by the disease.