NEW YORK: A recent study has left scientists confused as lung cancer diagnoses in young and middle-aged women continue to rise, surpassing rates in men. Lung cancer has now become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, surpassing breast and ovarian cancers, a fact highlighted by radiation oncologist Dr. Andrea McKee, who stressed the urgent need for education and awareness about this deadly disease.
Statistics reveal a staggering reality: approximately 164 women lose their lives to lung cancer every day in the US. While smoking has long been associated with lung cancer, the rates of female smokers have significantly decreased in recent decades. However, strangely, the number of lung cancer cases in women, particularly among non-smokers, has been gradually increasing.
A study published in the journal JAMA Oncology disclosed a startling trend: lung cancer diagnoses have surged by 84% in women over the past 43 years, while simultaneously dropping by 36% in men. Even non-smoking women are found to be twice as likely to develop lung cancer compared to non-smoking men, leaving researchers bewildered as they attempt to discern the underlying causes for this gender-specific disparity.
Increase in Lung Cancer Cases in Women
In US, efforts are underway in the legislative arena to establish a dedicated center aimed at increasing funding and collaboration to assess the effectiveness of preventive services for women and to raise awareness about lung cancer. Currently, only 15% of the US National Institutes of Health’s budget is allocated to female-focused research, despite lung cancer ranking as the leading cause of death in women.
Various risk factors have been identified, including family history, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, pollution, and arsenic in drinking water. However, the exact reasons for the disproportionate impact on women remain elusive, making early detection and prevention challenging.
Lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat effectively. Healthcare providers are being urged to remain vigilant, particularly concerning how this disease affects women, enabling timely detection.
