Lung Cancer

According to Health Canada, in 2003 approximately 18,800 people were expected to die from lung cancer, and an estimated 21,100 new cases of lung cancer were anticipated to be diagnosed that year alone.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer in Canada. It represents an estimated 30% of the cancer deaths in males and 25% of the cancer deaths in females. More Canadian women will die of lung cancer (7,900) in 2003 than of breast cancer (5,300).

In 2003, an estimated 21,100 Canadians (12,200 men; 9,000 women) will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 18,800 (10,900 men and 7,900 women) will die of it.

One in18 women will develop lung cancer during her lifetime. One in 20 will die of it. One in 11 men will develop lung cancer during his lifetime. One in 12 will die of it.

Who is At Risk of  Developing Lung Cancer?

The person at greatest risk  of developing lung cancer is someone who

• has smoked for many years (e.g., over 20 years),
• has averaged more than 20 cigarettes per day and
• has inhaled freely.

For this person the risk of lung cancer may be increased by as much as 15-30 times compared to a non-smoker. Starting smoking early makes it possible for a person to have smoked heavily for at least 20 years by the age of 35.

One in 10 seniors in Canada smokes. Because older adults are usually the longest smokers, they will show the highest cumulative effect of damage from smoking.

Sources

Health Canada. www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/ccdpc-cpcmc/cancer/publications/lung_e.html

Health Canada, (2002). Tobacco Use and Smoking Cessation Among Seniors. Online at:

www.hc-sc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/pubs/workshop_healthyaging/pdf/tobacco_e.pdf

Lung Association of Canada www.lung.ca/diseases/cancer_lungs.html

American Resources

Facts About Lung Cancer (American Lung Association/Hudson Valley) www.alahv.org/bookfiles4/lung_cancer.html

• Discusses how lung cancer develops, the types of lung cancer, what causes lung cancer, and who gets lung cancer.

Understanding Cancer of the Lung (CancerBACUP) www.cancerbacup.org.uk/info/lung.htm.

• Provides an introduction to lung cancer. Covers lung cancer causes, symptoms and types. Addresses diagnosis, testing and treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, laser therapy), and symptom relief, among other topics.

What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer (NCI's cancer.gov)

www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/doc_wyntk.aspx?viewid=4b129348-f3ec-4c30-9c65-b34255667eb1

• Information booklet describes lung cancer, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Covers emotional support, questions for your doctor, side effects and resources.

National Center for Tobacco-Free Older Persons, (The Center for Social Gerontology). Online : www.tcsg.org/

Other Breathing Disorders Resources

Lung Cancer Online www.lungcanceronline.org/index.htm

Canadian Lung Association www.lung.ca/

Sleep Apnea Handbook: Mentions alcohol 11 times! www.lung.ca/sleepapnea/handbook/

www.lung.ca/sleepapnea/handbook/Sleep_Apnea_Action_Handbook.pdf