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Death Rate Vs. Cure Rate of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer and yet it is almost entirely preventable. Cure rates are rarely discussed. Statistics don't discusses patients who are cured, but instead make of those who are still alive 5 years after the diagnosis. This 5-year survival rate does not distinguish those who are cancer free, those who have suffered relapses and/or those currently receiving cancer treatment. Some forms of cancer can re-occur after 5 years.

  1. Significance

    • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death. In 2007, an estimated 160,000 Americans died of this disease, which accounts for approximately 30 percent of all cancer-related deaths. That same year, lung cancer represented only 15 percent of all new cancer diagnoses.

    History

    • The 1-year relative survival rate for lung cancer has increased slightly. From 1975 to 1979, the 1-year survival rate was 37 percent. In 2002, it improved to 42 percent. The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 16 percent.

    Prognosis

    • The prognosis for surviving lung cancer depends on the stage it is when it is first diagnosed. Stages of lung cancer include localized (only in the lungs), regional (spread to the lymph nodes) and distant (spread to other organs). The 16 percent of lung cancer cases that are diagnosed at the localized stage have a 49 percent of surviving 5 years. Cases diagnosed in the distant stage only have a 3 percent 5-year survival rate .

    Prevention/Solution

    • Cigarette smoking accounts for approximately 30 percent of all cancer deaths. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, of that 30 percent, lung cancer is responsible for 80 percent. The American Lung Association notes that smoking is responsible for 90 percent of all lung cancer cases.

    Racial Differences

    • According to the American Lung Association, from 2000 to 2003, the lung cancer mortality rate was 12 percent higher for African American males than for Caucasian males . Lung cancer rates were about the same for African American and Caucasian females. African Americans are more likely than any other racial group to die from lung cancer . In contrast, Hispanics, Asians/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans are less likely to develop lung cancer than other races.

    Theories/Speculation

    • According to Cancer.gov, there will be 215,020 new cases of lung cancer and 161,840 deaths caused by lung cancer in 2008.

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