Focus on lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world (12.3% of all cancers), with an
estimated 1.2 million new cases in 2000 (Parkin et al., 2001). Tobacco smoking is the most
important cause of lung cancers with 80%–90% arising in cigarette smokers (Figure 1).
There are major geographic, racial, and gender differences in incidence and some reports
suggest that women may be at increased risk of lung cancer from exposure to tobacco
smoke carcinogens. A lifetime smoker has a 20-to 30-fold increased risk of developing lung …
estimated 1.2 million new cases in 2000 (Parkin et al., 2001). Tobacco smoking is the most
important cause of lung cancers with 80%–90% arising in cigarette smokers (Figure 1).
There are major geographic, racial, and gender differences in incidence and some reports
suggest that women may be at increased risk of lung cancer from exposure to tobacco
smoke carcinogens. A lifetime smoker has a 20-to 30-fold increased risk of developing lung …
Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world (12.3% of all cancers), with an estimated 1.2 million new cases in 2000 (Parkin et al., 2001). Tobacco smoking is the most important cause of lung cancers with 80%–90% arising in cigarette smokers (Figure 1). There are major geographic, racial, and gender differences in incidence and some reports suggest that women may be at increased risk of lung cancer from exposure to tobacco smoke carcinogens. A lifetime smoker has a 20-to 30-fold increased risk of developing lung cancer compared to a lifetime nonsmoker. While smoking prevalence is decreasing in the USA, in China and Eastern Europe, there is an epidemic of smoking which will result in tens of millions of new cases in this century (Parkin et al., 2001; Peto et al., 1999, 2000). Thus, lung cancer is the most preventable of all cancers, and smoking cessation results in decreased risk after a lag period of 7 years (Peto et al., 1999). However, this decreased risk never reaches baseline levels, and lung cancer in the USA is becoming a disease of former smokers. Despite improvements in therapy, 90% of lung cancer patients will die from their disease. In 2000, it is estimated that lung cancer resulted in 1.1 million deaths worldwide, or 17.8% of all cancer deaths. However, only 11% of heavy cigarette smokers ultimately develop lung cancer, suggesting that there may be genetic factors predisposing to lung cancer risk (Lippman and Spitz, 2001).
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