Lung Cancer Death Rising among Women

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women, in which it kills more women each year than breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer, according to online sources. The United States has more than 35 million smokers, about 20 percent of men and 18 percent women. The percentage of people who smoke is far lower than it used to be; rates peaked around 1960 in men and two decades later in women.

The risk of dying from lung cancer was more than 25 times higher in female smokers in the recent years compared to women who have never smoked. In the 1960s, the risk of lung cancer is only three times higher. One reason: After World War II, women started taking up the habit at a younger age and began smoking more.

However, one in five women who never smoked has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Researchers say that lung cancer has been increasingly developing in women with no smoking history. In fact, lung cancer is diagnosed three times more in never-smoking women than in never-smoking men. This may be linked to exposure to carcinogens (substances that can cause cancer, such as secondhand smoke, radon, and asbestos), which increase the risk of lung cancer. In addition, women may have genetic and hormonal differences that affect the development of lung cancer in never-smokers, as well as in those who smoke.

Commonly, lung cancer is treated by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. However, early detection of lung cancer can be effectively treated by surgery. There is a modern innovative form of surgery that uses a robotic device called da Vinci surgical system, which is believed to be better than traditional surgeries. However, health experts are unsure if robotic surgery is better than traditional surgery. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised the patients to consult their doctors if robotic surgery is the best treatment option for them.

References:

lungcancer.about.com/od/whatislungcancer/a/lungcancerwomen.htm
health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/11/15/a-medical-mystery-why-is-lung-cancer-rising-among-nonsmoking-women
cancer.net/all-about-cancer/cancernet-feature-articles/cancer-screening-and-prevention/women-and-lung-cancer
cbsnews.com/news/womens-lung-cancer-death-rate-almost-the-same-as-mens/