The 2nd annual Women’s Lung Health Barometer results were released on November 4, 2015.
THE STATE OF LUNG CANCER IN WOMEN
Despite sobering statistics, lung cancer remains a silent epidemic. The disease has the horrible distinction of both impacting a tremendous number of people (more than 71,000 American women estimated to lose their lives this year alone) and bringing with it a distressingly low five-year survival rate of only 18 percent, among the lowest of all cancers.
While there are many misconceptions about this disease, the fact is that anyone can get lung cancer. Every hour, 18 of our friends, neighbors and loved ones lose their battle with lung cancer. The alarming statistics make it clear that we must do more to address this critical public health issue for all.
WOMEN'S LUNG HEALTH BAROMETER: 2ND ANNUAL REPORT
As the number one cancer killer of women, lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as any other cancer. Yet, according to the American Lung Association's 2nd Annual Women's Lung Health Barometer — a survey of over 1,000 American adult women that measures women's awareness, knowledge and perceptions about lung cancer — this disease is not even on women's radar. In fact, when asked to identify cancers that affect women, only 1 percent of women cited lung cancer on a top-of-mind basis.
Lung cancer diagnoses have more than doubled among all women in the past 35 years, but only 35 percent of women are aware of this fact, including only 29 percent of African American women and 36 percent of Hispanic women.
RISK FACTOR AWARENESS ON THE RISE, YET HIGH RISK WOMEN'S AWARENESS STILL DANGEROUSLY LOW
The Barometer revealed a 10 percent increase in awareness since 2014 of risk factors, such as radon gas and air pollution, exposure to secondhand smoke, and family history. Yet women at high risk still do not understand their lung cancer risks and many have not spoken with a doctor. Right now in the United States, there are approximately 3.5 million women at high risk. To determine if someone is high risk, take our quiz at: lungcancerscreeningsaveslives.org.
Here are the facts,
- Two-thirds of women at high risk for lung cancer say breast cancer is more of a concern. And only a quarter have spoken to their doctor about their lung cancer risks.
- Only a quarter of all women (26% African American women vs. 25% Hispanic women) are aware that
Referenc
- http://www.lungforce.org/womens-lung-health-barometer-media-summary
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