Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Ohio among both men and women, and it is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer for both genders. From 2003 to 2007, an annual average of 9,295 Ohioans were diagnosed with lung cancer and 7,411 Ohioans died of the disease. Although mortality rates from lung cancer in Ohio declined nine percent from 1991 (64.9 per 100,000) to 2007 (58.8 per 100,000), rates among both white females and African American females increased. African American males had the highest rate of lung cancer deaths in 2007 (102.0 per 100,000); with a rate 34 percent higher than white males (76.2 per 100,000).
Risk Factors
Smoking is the most significant risk factor in the development of lung cancer, accounting for 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. Risk increases with the amount and duration of use.
Additional risk factors include:
Age – about two out of three people diagnosed with lung cancer are older than 65
Gender – men have higher incidence rates of colorectal cancer than women
Family History – having a first degree relative who has had lung may increase risk cancer
Personal History – having had lung cancer before increases risk of a new lung cancer
Secondhand smoke – exposure to secondhand (environmental) smoke increases risk. A nonsmoker living with a smoker has a 20-30 percent greater risk
Occupational or environmental exposure – exposure to substances such as radon; asbestos; arsenic; radioactive ores; silica; beryllium; cadmium; vinyl chloride; nickel and chromium compounds; coal products; mustard gas; chloromethyl ethers, and diesel exhaust increases risk
Air pollution – exposure to air pollution may slightly increase risk
Prevention and Early Detection
Early detection has not yet been demonstrated to improve survival from lung cancer. Newer tests such as low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) scans and molecular markers in sputum have produced promising results in detecting lung cancers at earlier, more operable stages in high-risk patients. The National Lung Screening Trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute, is currently conducting trials to determine whether screening asymptomatic individuals at high risk for lung cancer with spiral CT or standard chest x-ray can reduce lung cancer deaths.
*East Central Division of American Cancer Society, Ohio Department of Health, The Ohio State University. Ohio Cancer Facts & Figures, 2010. Columbus, Ohio: American Cancer Society, 2010.
second most commonly diagnosed cancer for both genders. From 2003 to 2007, an annual average of 9,295 Ohioans were diagnosed with lung cancer and 7,411 Ohioans died of the disease. Although mortality rates from lung cancer in Ohio declined nine percent from 1991 (64.9 per 100,000) to 2007 (58.8 per 100,000), rates among both white females and African American females increased. African American males had the highest rate of lung cancer deaths in 2007 (102.0 per 100,000); with a rate 34 percent higher than white males (76.2 per 100,000).