Did you know that lung cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and the leading cancer killer among men and women?
Despite being the deadliest cancer among Americans, lung cancer research and resources are underfunded — largely due to myths that influence public perception of the disease such as the idea that it’s untreatable or primarily a “smoker’s disease.”
That’s why educating the public about lung cancer is crucial. Anyone is susceptible to the disease, and you should learn more about its causes and symptoms.
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has compiled 49 need-to-know lung cancer statistics that explain how lung cancer affects you and those around you.
The State of Lung Cancer in the U.S.
Lung Cancer Demographics
Early Detection, Diagnosis and Staging
Lung Cancer and Smoking
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lung Cancer
Life Expectancy and Survival Rates
Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention
The State of Lung Cancer in the U.S.
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About 13% of all new cancers in the U.S. are lung cancers.
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An estimated 236,740 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2022.
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Each year, more people die of lung cancer than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.
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An estimated 130,180 people will die from lung cancer in the U.S. in 2022.
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A new lung cancer diagnosis occurs in the U.S. every 2.2 minutes.
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1 in 16 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime.
Lung Cancer Demographics
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Approximately 10% to 20% of new lung cancers happen to nonsmokers.
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Lung cancer kills an average of 171 women each day in the U.S.
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61% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. are diagnosed in people ages 65 to 84.
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Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among blacks.
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Black men have the highest death rate of lung cancer in the U.S.
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About 117,910 men and 118,830 women will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022.
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White women have the highest rate of lung cancer among women.
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Men have a 1 in 15 chance of developing lung cancer in their lifetime.
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The average age at diagnosis for lung cancer is 71.
Early Detection, Diagnosis and Staging
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Only 16% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage.
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20% of lung cancer patients undergo surgery to remove malignant tumors, increasing their likelihood of survival.
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People diagnosed at an early stage of lung cancer are 5 times more likely to survive.
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If everyone eligible for lung cancer screening took advantage of it, the U.S. could prevent up to 12,000 deaths a year.
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One study found that cancer screenings took place in only 1.9% of 7.6 million smokers eemed eligible by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
Lung Cancer and Smoking
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Roughly 80% to 90% of people who develop lung cancer are nonsmokers.
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Fewer than 10% of lifelong smokers will get lung cancer.
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More than 12% of new lung cancer cases occur in people who have never smoked cigarettes.
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Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at work or at home increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20% to 30%.
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As many as 20% of Americans who die from lung cancer every year are nonsmokers.
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Around 7,000 adults die each year from lung cancer as a result of secondhand smoke.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer
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About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the U.S.
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The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with early-stage mesothelioma is 18%
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Researchers show 20 million people in the U.S. are at risk for developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.
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The overall 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma patients is only 10%.
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Asbestos-related lung cancer kills twice as many Americans each year as mesothelioma.
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As an asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma usually doesn’t show until 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure.
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The risk for developing mesothelioma is 10 times higher for people older than 60 compared to people younger than 40.
Life Expectancy and Survival Rates for Non-Small Cell (NSCLC) and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
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Only 31 states track 5-year lung cancer survival rates.
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The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer patients is lower than that of other cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.
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The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is 18.6%.
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More than half of people who have lung cancer die within one year of diagnosis.
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The overall five-year survival rate for SCLC is only 7%.
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NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 84% of all lung cancer cases.
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The overall five-year survival rate for NSCLC is roughly 25%.
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SCLC represents about 13% of lung cancers.
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For patients with localized SCLC, the five-year survival rate is 27%.
Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention
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Radon is responsible for nearly 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year.
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1 in 15 homes in the U.S. are thought to have high levels of radon.
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The National Cancer Institute confirmed that asbestos causes lung cancer in 1942.
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Smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer from other harmful substances such as asbestos, arsenic and diesel exhaust.
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Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of about 4% of lung cancer cases.
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The best prevention is to avoid smoking cigarettes, which contain at least 70 carcinogens.
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Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of getting lung cancer 15 to 30 times.
Raise Your Cancer Awareness
More people should be aware of lung cancer and its causes. Educating yourself about the risk factors and causes may reduce your risk of developing lung cancer. It can also help you identify symptoms, so you can catch the disease in its early stages.
At Asbestos.com, we understand the importance of cancer awareness and how it can positively impact the population. That’s why we seek to educate the community with expert resources about mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, or suspect you may be experiencing symptoms, contact us today.
