WALC

Facts

• Lung cancer is the no.1 cancer killer of women and was responsible for nearly 18% of all female cancer deaths in 2004.
• Lung cancer is the cause of 18% of all cancer deaths in women in the UK. Despite this, the disease receives less than 4% of cancer research funding in the UK.
• About 85% of patients with the most common form of lung cancer are not suitable for surgery. The estimated numbers of inoperable patients receiving chemotherapy ranged from 1,320 to 5,280 in 2001. This is a relatively small number and many more, where clinically appropriate, should be offered potentially life-prolonging treatment.
• Early detection of lung cancer is crucial - watch out for the following signs and symptoms and speak to a GP should you have any concerns:
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • General fatigue
• Lung cancer is the no.1 cancer killer of women and was responsible for nearly 18% of all female cancer deaths in 2004.
• In 2002, around 15,000 women were diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK. This deadly disease is claiming more lives than breast cancer and in 2004 was responsible for the deaths of over 13,500 women.
• Almost twice as many UK women die from lung cancer when compared to those in other European countries (29.8 vs.16.9 deaths per 100,000).
• Lung cancer survival rates have not improved substantially in the UK in the past decade. Recent figures show that five years following diagnosis, only 7% of women with lung cancer were alive, compared with 80% of women with breast cancer.
• Over 80% of lung cancer patients die within their first year of diagnosis. This means that around 26% of women will survive more than one year post-diagnosis.
• 80% of lung cancers are due to smoking and until recently, lung cancer rates for women have been comparable to those of men. However, if smoking rates in young women continue, lung cancer rates for women will start to increase.

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