Surge in 
number of women with lung cancer

Cases of the disease have fallen 13 per cent overall, mainly due to a drop of 30 per cent among 
men. But campaigners from the charity Cancer Research UK have warned the rise of 34 per cent among women is a particular concern and are calling for a renewed effort for research into the disease.

About 87 per cent of lung cancers are caused by tobacco but the charity says more funding is needed for research into the condition.

Across Britain, lung cancer rates in women have risen by 73 per cent over the last 40 years, but rates have fallen by 47 
per cent in men over the same period and by a fifth for people overall.

Past smoking patterns vary between the sexes. Rates in men have been falling for many decades since at least the 1950s, while for women this did not happen until the 1970s. The lung cancer rate in women is now 41 per 100,000, up from 23 in 1975. For men, it is now 59 per 100,000, down from 112 in 1975.

The latest figures show there were a total of around 43,500 cases of lung cancer in the UK in 2011 – around 23,800 men and 19,700 women. There were also around 35,200 deaths from lung cancer, around 19,600 men and 15,600 women.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK, but the biggest cancer killer.

The fall in the men’s cancer rate follows a huge reduction in numbers of smokers. But advances in treatment have been limited and public awareness of the disease has been low despite the high death toll, with more than two-thirds of patients diagnosed at a stage when it is too late for them to be offered curative treatment. Fewer than 10 per cent of people diagnosed with lung cancer survive for at least five years after diagnosis.

Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Yorkshire, Nicki Embleton, said: “These figures provide a stark reminder that lung cancer remains one of the biggest challenges in cancer research. The disease kills more than twice as many people as the second most common cancer killer – bowel cancer – and this looks set to continue unless we all do more. The attitude that a lung cancer diagnosis is a death sentence must change.

“Cancer Research UK wants to make the UK a leader in lung cancer research. We’re determined to build a community of the world’s best researchers to help improve treatments and beat lung cancer sooner.”

The charity says there are several hurdles to overcome in improving the outlook for patients, including the perception that lung cancer is an unsolvable problem.

It says the disease is often seen as “self-inflicted” due to its link with tobacco rather than acknowledging that many of those diagnosed face a powerful addiction promoted by the tobacco industry for over a century.

The charity’s other key priorities include raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of the illness.

Cancer Research UK’s director of early diagnosis, Sara Hiom, said: “We need to improve awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of lung cancer and urge people – especially those at increased risk – to go to their doctor without delay if they spot any symptoms.”