Lung cancer 'overtaking breast cancer in European women'

[Northerner]

Lung cancer is set to overtake breast cancer as the biggest cause of female cancer death in Europe, say experts.

This is already the case in the UK and Poland, the Annals of Oncology reports.

The rise reflects a surge in the number of women who started smoking in the 1960s and 1970s, the experts say.

The lung cancer death rate will continue on its upward trend for the next few years - but with fewer young European women now starting to smoke, it should decrease with time.

In 2013, some 82,640 European women will die from lung cancer, while 88,886 will die from breast cancer.

And by 2015 the balance will have shifted and lung cancer will take the lead, according to Prof Carlo La Vecchia and colleagues.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21424754

 

[Northerner]

Women's lung cancer death rates set to rise (NHS Choices)

The news that lung cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in British women is being widely reported by the media. The stories are based on well conducted research that predicts cancer deaths in 2013.

The study estimated how many deaths there will be from all forms of cancer across the European Union. As per the headlines, it found that lung cancer now outstrips breast cancer as the main cause of cancer deaths among women in the UK.

The rise in lung cancer deaths may be caused by:
the long-term effect of the greater number of women smokers during the 1960s and 70s
the fact that lung cancer remains challenging to treat, as it is often not diagnosed until it is at an advanced stage

The study also had some good news: it found that between 2009 and 2013, overall death rates for most cancers look likely to decline in Europe, although this decline is only 1% for the UK.

This research reinforces the fact that the dangers associated with smoking often do not develop for many decades. But if women quit before they are 40, they can significantly reduce their risk of dying from causes related to smoking. Regardless of gender, quitting at any age will bring benefits.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/February/Pages/Womens-lung-cancer-rise.aspx