Lung Cancer in Women
Donald Aulds, M.D.
Lung cancer in women accounts for nearly 82,000 new cases of cancer yearly approximately 47% of the 175,000 total new cases of lung cancer in the U.S. It is estimated that one in seventeen women will develop lung cancer in her lifetime and is the leading cancer killer in women in the U.S. Lung cancer takes more lives of women annually than breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined. It kills over 30,000 more women yearly than breast cancer. Five year survival rate of lung cancer is only 15% compared to 88% five year survival rate for breast cancer. The shocking information is that lung cancer in non-smoking women is twice more likely to occur than in non-smoking men, with more than 60% of the cases of all lung cancers in non-smokers occurring in women. Of all the people in the U.S. who die of lung cancer from second-hand smoke, 65% are women. Approximately 9% of women diagnosed with lung cancer are younger than 50. Women are more likely than men to develop a sub-type of lung cancer called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), which is rising in frequency throughout the world.
What risk factors have been identified for developing lung cancer?
The following factors have been associated with the development of lung cancer in both women and men:
- Smoking - approximately 90% of lung cancer cases occur in people who are either smoking or have previously smoked. A significant risk of developing lung cancer has been reported to remain for up to 20 years after stopping smoking and approximately 50% of all cases occur in people who have already quit smoking.
- Second-hand smoke - It has been estimated that approximately 3500 deaths from lung cancer occurs yearly and 65% of these are in women. There are studies that suggest that women may be more sensitive to the cancer producing chemicals in smoke and cigarettes.
- Radon exposure - the second leading cause of lung cancer
- Asbestos exposure - this is more likely in men since exposure has been higher in men due to the greater risk of exposure to men working in construction
- Air pollution - studies from England published in December, 2006, showed that people living within a five to ten mile radius of heavy industry had a higher risk of lung cancer with women more sensitive than men
- Arsenic exposure
- Radiation exposure
- Wok smoke exposure - studies from China reported in November 2006, reported that women who have exposure to stir-fry for twenty years are six times more likely to develop lung cancer. It is not known if this is a greater risk in Asian women than other races since the studies have not been done for any other races.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
Symptoms of lung cancer may include:
- A cough that won't go away
- Recurrent respiratory infections such as pneumonia
- Chest, shoulder or back pain that won't go away
- Shortness of breathe or hoarseness
- Unexplained wheezing
- Coughing up blood
- Swelling in the neck or face
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing
- Increasing fatigue or weakness
- Unexplained recurrent headaches
- Seizures
- Bone pain
If these symptoms occur, see a physician as these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions.
What is the survival rate for lung cancer?
Although lung cancer is a serious disease, women typically fare better than men after therapy for lung cancer. Studies have reported that women tend to respond better to chemotherapy and survive longer than men. There is a very high death rate with lung cancer probably due to fact that only about 16% of cases are diagnosed before the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Approximately 85% of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within five years of their diagnosis, compared with 12 % of breast cancer patients.
What can be done to reduce risk?
- If a person smokes, they should get help to quit smoking as soon as possible.
- If a person lives in a region with high levels of radon, have the residence checked for radon exposure. If levels are too high, contact a contractor about measure that can be done to reduce exposure in the home.
- A well balanced diet and exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of all cancers including lung cancer.
- If a person is a smoker or smoked in the past or there is a family history of lung cancer, the person should speak to their physician about screening testing that is available. Early testing may lead to early detection which will give a greater chance of successful treatment.
More about Dr. Aulds
Donald G. Aulds, MD is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and currently serves as the Medical Director for both the Women's Center and the Best Start Program of North Alabama. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Aulds completed his medical education at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA and his Internship and Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Aulds has been an active member of the Huntsville Hospital Medical Staff since 1980.
