November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and despite numerous research advancements and increased efforts in tobacco cessation and anti-smoking initiatives, the disease is still the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

According to the American Cancer Society:

Lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) is the second most common cancer in both men and women (not counting skin cancer). In men, prostate cancer is more common, while in women breast cancer is more common. About 14% of all new cancers are lung cancers.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for lung cancer in the United States for 2016 are:

• About 224,390 new cases of lung cancer (117,920 in men and 106,470 in women)

• About 158,080 deaths from lung cancer (85,920 in men and 72,160 in women)

Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women; about 1 out of 4 cancer deaths are from lung cancer. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
Lung cancer mainly occurs in older people. About 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older, while less than 2% are younger than 45. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 70.

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is offering a free seminar, "Frankly Speaking About Lung Cancer," on November 7 at the Wallace Tumor Institute on the UAB medical campus. Mollie deShazo, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Division of Hematology and Oncology, will provide fundamental information about current lung cancer treatments, strategies for symptom/side-effect management, and tools for survivorship. We encourage you to learn more, and if you are interested in learning about UAB's smoking cessation programs, click here.