Lung Cancer--A Woman's Greatest Cancer Risk
According to the American Lung Association, "Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in both men and women in the United States and will cause an estimated 158, 900 deaths in 1999, accounting for 28% of all cancer deaths. The incidence and mortality attributed to this disorder has been rising steadily since the 1930's. Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer deaths among men since the early 1950's and, in 1987, surpassed breast cancer to become the leading cause of cancer deaths in women."
Eighty-seven percent of those diagnosed with lung cancer are smokers. Many smokers, despite the warnings on every pack of cigarettes they buy and everything they hear about the risk of lung cancer associated with smoking, believe it will never happen to them. That's what my mother thought. But, last week our world came crashing down upon us when my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Now, she feels tremendous guilt for not heeding the warnings that all of us have heard so many times--smoking causes lung cancer.
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Lung cancer is the only cancer that causes more deaths in women than breast cancer. As women we are often led to believe that breast cancer is our greatest cancer risk. And although, in 1999, an estimated 175, 000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed among women, as well as nearly 40,000 additional cases of in situ breast cancer, an estimated 43,300 women were expected to die from breast cancer--this number is about two-thirds of the more than 60,000 women who will die of lung cancer. Most of these deaths could be prevented by simply not smoking. |
"Lung cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Cigarette smoking is the main culprit and is responsible for 80% of these cancer deaths. Lung cancer has always been and continues to be more common in men than women but the difference is declining. Unfortunately statistics show that smoking rates among women are expected to surpass those among men by the year 2000. Lung cancer is not the only smoking related cause of death in women. The World Health Organization states that at least 25% of women smokers will die of smoking-related disease such as cardiovascular disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)."--National Women's Health Information Center |
My mother tried to quit smoking several times in her life--she once quit for three years. She started smoking again when my father was diagnosed with pancreas cancer almost five years ago. My dad lived only 4 months after his diagnosis, but my mother continued smoking. She's tried to stop a few times since then, but her life without my dad was too lonely, and cigarettes became her best friend. She woke up and sat at her table every morning smoking one cigarette after another. Now she is paying the ultimate price for the comfort she found in cigarettes--the price of her life.
My mother has a long road ahead of her, and I don't want to meet you along the way. Lung cancer paints an ugly picture and is a sad way to end an otherwise productive life--so quit smoking now and save your life!
Do you need help quitting smoking? Visit About Smoking Cessation where you will find a supportive online resource that provides news and information, as well as forums and chats designed to help you become a non-smoker.
More About
Smoking and Women's Health--Lung cancer is not a woman's only smoking-related health risk. Learn about the unique health risks encountered women smokers.
Lung Cancer Signs and Symptoms--Know the warning signs!
Quit Smoking Special--About Guides explore the many ways that smoking can impact your health.
Lung Cancer Resources--About Cancer provides resources for those diagnosed with lung cancer.
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