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Who Is Affected by Lung Cancer

Lung cancer usually occurs in older people. The average age of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer is about 71.1

Studies do not show clearly whether men who smoke are at a higher risk for lung cancer than women who smoke. Among non-smokers, women are more likely to get lung cancer than men. But women also have better responses to treatment for lung cancer.2

For all people, including smokers and nonsmokers:1

  • Black men are more likely to develop lung cancer than men of any other racial group.
  • White women and black women are about equally likely to develop lung cancer.

If you live with a smoker, you have a higher risk for lung cancer compared with a person who lives in a nonsmoking environment.

Citations

  1. American Cancer Society (2009). What are the key statistics for lung cancer? Detailed Guide: Lung Cancer—Non–Small Cell. Available online: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_Are_the_Key_Statistics_About_Lung_Cancer_15.asp?sitearea=.
  2. Rivera MP (2009). Lung cancer in women: The difference in epidemiology, biology and treatment outcomes. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 3(6): 627–634.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology
Last Revised May 27, 2010

Last Revised: May 27, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology

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