Epidemiology of Lung Cancer the USA - Essay Example

? Epidemiology of Lung Cancer in the United s of America 17-09-11 Epidemiology of Lung Cancer in the United s of America Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States of America. In the year 2009 alone, more than 1,479,350 cases of cancer were diagnosed and in the same year 562,340 individuals died as a result of cancer. In accordance with cancer rates which were determined over the span of three years from 2003 to2005, it was revealed that more than 40% of the individuals born today will suffer from cancer at some point in their life. However, over the past two decades the incidence of cancer in both men and women has shown a decrease. The American Cancer Society, NCI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the incidence of cancer in both men and women has shown a decrease of 0.8% annually from 1999 to 2005. The incidence of three major cancers (lung, prostate, colorectum) affecting men, showed a decrease of 1.8% each year from 2001 to 2005. On the other hand, the rate of breast and colorectum cancer in women showed a decrease of approximately 0.6% each year from 1998 to 2005. However, the rate of lung cancer in women remained steady from 1998 to 2005. The decrease in the incidence of cancer over the last two decades has inevitably translated into a decrease in the number of individuals who die of cancer each year. This decline in both incidence and mortality associated with all cancers has been observed in all ethnic and racial groups. However, American Indians and Alaskan Natives exhibit different incidences and mortality rates. However, the incidence of certain cancers such as pancreatic cancer in women, esophageal cancer in men and hepatocellular cancer in both the sexes has shown an increase over the past few years. The incidence of cancer and the associated mortality rates have shown a reduction over the last two decades mainly due to the administration of diverse range of prevention, early detection and effective treatment strategies (Schottenfeld et al 2006). Epidemiology of Lung Cancer in U.S: Literature Review Lung cancer in both sexes is the major cause of death in the United States of America. According to 2007 database of The US National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results 371,000 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in the United States. Out of the total of 371,000 lung cancer cases, 173,000 were men while 198,000 were women. According to an estimate by The American Cancer Society, 219,440 new cases of cancer were diagnosed while 159,390 individuals died of cancer in 2009 in the United States of America. This accounted for around 15% of all new cases of cancer diagnosed and 28% of all deaths associated with cancer in the year 2009. A recent statistics revealed that the number of Americans who die of lung cancer is greater than the number of deaths from colorectum, breast and prostate cancer combined. Previously lung cancer was very rare however, its prevalence increased rapidly in the 20th century due to the widespread use of tobacco products (Conference/Workshop on Lung Cancer Epidemiology and Industrial Applications of Sputum Cytology 2007). The correlation between lung cancer and cigarette smoking has not only been determined epidemiologically but the relation has also been confirmed due to the identification of carcinogens in cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoking is responsible for causing more than 90% of lung cancer cases. The smoking patterns in both the sexes have shown a change over the last two decades thus, since the 1990s, the incidence and mortality of lung cancer in men have decreased. However, in women both the incidence of lung cancer and the mortality rate has increased over the last two decades due to the increase in the number of women using tobacco products. Apart from the consumption of tobacco products, other environmental risk factors include the exposure of environmental cigarette smoke and poisoning with certain heavy metals such arsenic, chromium, iron oxide and nickel. Furthermore, exposure to radon gas among the miners of uranium and also in areas where the soil has high concentration of radium shows an increase in the incidence of lung cancer. Moreover, smokers who are exposed to asbestos show 60 to 100 folds increase in the risk of developing lung cancer. Workers who are exposed to industrial carcinogens such as bis-chloromethyl ether also have a high risk of lung cancer development. Certain diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sarcoidosis increase the risk of lung cancer development. Individuals who have survived initial lung cancer are at a high risk of developing second primary lung cancers (Altekruse SF et al 2007). The incidence of lung cancer under the age of 40 is very rare. The median age at lung cancer diagnosis is 71. According to a recent study, 41% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer have an expected survival time of one year. Average five year survival rate of lung cancer patients is only 16%. However, in the 1970s the average survival five year survival rates for all stages of lung cancer were only 13%. More than 90% of primary lung cancer cases represent the histological categories of bronchogenic carcinoma. 20% of lung cancer patients exhibit Squamous cell carcinoma which arises from the epithelial lining of the bronchus. Squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by an intra sessile or polypoid mass. Approximately 35% to 40% lung cancer cases show Adenocarcinoma which arises from mucus producing glands. Brochioloalveolar cell carcinoma is shown by 2% of the patients. This carcinoma occurs either within or in the distal segment of the extremely sensitive and delicate terminal bronchioles. Around 3 to 5% of lung cancer patients show undifferentiated group of tumors known as Large cell carcinoma. Small cell carcinoma is exhibited by approximately 10 to 15% of the total lung cancer patients. Clinical findings determine that 75 to 90% of lung cancer cases are symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. (Ries et al 1988-2001). Conclusion: The data shows that lung cancer in individuals under 40 years of age is very unusual and the average age at which lung cancer develops is 71. It was also observed that the mortality rate in men has decreased over the past two decades. While in women the both the rate of incidence and mortality have been steady over the past few years. The US National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results show that the incidence and rate of lung cancer in the United States is greater than in any other part of the world. It also revealed that women have a higher incidence and mortality rate than men due to the change in smoking patterns. US government estimates that each year approximately $10.3 billion is utilized for the treatment of lung cancer. Another interesting fact observed was that African American males have a high mortality rate than white males. The existence of a positive correlation between lung cancer and the use of tobacco products was established many years ago. Governments around the world are trying hard to discourage smokers by making it mandatory to include pictorial warnings on cigarette packaging. Over the past few years the decrease in the incidence of lung cancer has been significant due to the use of modern therapeutic techniques. In addition to advanced therapeutic techniques, the decrease in cancer incidence reflects the success of government attempts carried out in the United States to control cigarette smoking. Thus, the combined efforts of researchers, scientists, lobbyists, physicians and health care professionals have been truly effective. Prognosis is slow of patients with lung cancer and depends directly on the stage at which the cancer was detected. Therefore, the prediction of survival rate depends on the type and stage of the tumor, performance status of the patient and the amount of weight lost during a period of six months (Task Force on Environmental Cancer and Heart and Lung Disease 2007). References: Schottenfeld, D., & Fraumeni, J. F. (2006). Cancer epidemiology and prevention. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Conference/Workshop on Lung Cancer Epidemiology and Industrial Applications of Sputum Cytology, United States., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health., & Colorado School of Mines. (2007). Conference/Workshop on Lung Cancer Epidemiology and Industrial Applications of Sputum Cytology: [proceedings]. Golden: Printed by the Colorado School of Mines Press Task Force on Environmental Cancer and Heart and Lung Disease (U.S.). (2007). Legal and administrative impediments to the conduct of epidemiologic research. Bethesda, Md: Technical Resources, Inc. Ries, L. A. G., & SEER Program (National Cancer Institute (U.S.)). (2007). Cancer survival among adults: U.S. SEER program, 1988-2001 : patient and tumor characteristics. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Krapcho M, et al (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, (1976-2007) Read More