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A new national survey of women ages 18 to 65+ released by the U.S. National Lung Cancer Partnership (formerly Women Against Lung Cancer) finds that most women do not know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer among women.
Only 12% of women, and merely 7% of women under 45, believe they know the symptoms of lung cancer. In addition, less than 10% of women say they have talked to their doctors about their risk for lung cancer.
"Lung cancer is often perceived as a man's disease, yet it affects tens of thousands of women, and we're very concerned that women seem to be in the dark when it comes to the facts about lung cancer and the significant impact lung cancer can have on their lives," said Joan Schiller, MD, president, National Lung Cancer Partnership.
"It is our goal to help women understand and be aware of their risks for lung cancer so they can be the best advocates for their own health. We also want women to know that they can help increase funding for lung cancer research by making their voices heard."
Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are over 50, but even young women are at risk. Women make up the majority of young lung cancer patients, and also account for the majority of never-smokers with the disease.
According to the survey, women under 45 are less likely than women over 45 to believe that lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer annually. Younger women also are less likely to believe that the majority of lung cancer patients under age 40 are women. Although younger women are less likely than older women to know the symptoms of lung cancer, women ages 18-24 were more likely than the other women surveyed to have talked to their doctors about their risk for lung cancer.
"As a clinical researcher who treats both breast and lung cancer patients, these survey results echo what I see in my own practice," said Kathy Albain, MD, vice president, National Lung Cancer Partnership. "Women are very aware of their risk of breast cancer, but not so for lung cancer."
Among the survey's other findings were the following about these true statements:
- Only 41% of women know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the U.S.
- Only 36% know that lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer.
- Only 29% of women know that lung cancer kills more women than breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined.
- Only 8% of women know that exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Instead, 60% of women mistakenly believe it is exposure to second-hand smoke.
- Only 41% of women know that one in 17 women will develop lung cancer in her lifetime.
- Only 18% of women know that women make up the majority of young (under age 40) lung cancer patients.
- Only 4% of women know that women typically fare better than men after treatment for lung cancer.
In addition, nearly a quarter of all women, and more than a third of women aged 25 to 34, mistakenly believe there is a standard screening test to detect lung cancer in its early stages. Although such tests are in development, there is no clinically approved screening test for this nation's top cancer killer.
National Lung Cancer Partnership is the only national lung cancer organization founded by physicians and researchers and focused on understanding how the disease affects women and men differently. This article was prepared by Cancer Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Cancer Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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