Trends in lung cancer. Mortality, Incidence, Diagnosis, Treatment, Smoking, and Urbanization

Abstract

International trends in male lung cancer mortality rates have been rising but are beginning to level off. In the U.S., rates for men follow international trends; rates for women are increasing at a greater than exponential pace and far more rapidly than for men. Rates for non‐whites are rising faster than for whites. The trends in smoking (as a measure of personal air pollution)—increasing for women, decreasing for men—and urbanization (as an indirect measure of non‐personal air pollution)—higher for non‐whites than for whites—are correlated with cancer trends. There is evidence that several lung cancer hazards operating together multiply the risks. Patterns in diagnosis and survival are discussed, and recommendations are made for future study and action to reduce lung cancer mortality. Copyright © 1972 American Cancer Society