Lung cancer diagnoses among women will eclipse men this year for the first time, according to alarming projections.
Cancer Research UK now wants women to be as ‘vigilant’ for symptoms of the killer disease as they are for breast cancer.
The charity’s analysis experts 27,332 cases of lung cancer among women in the UK across 2022.
For comparison, the expected annual figure for men stands at 27,172.
Forecasting also suggests the gap will continue to widen until at least 2040.
Every year since records began, more men than women have been diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK. Between 2016 and 2018 there were an average 25,404 new cases each year in men and 23,396 in women
Symptoms are often not noticeable until the disease has spread through the lungs and to other parts of the body. This means survival rates are lower than for some other cancers, with about two in five people with lung cancer surviving for at least a year after their diagnosis
A persistent cough, breathlessness and passing out can all also be symptoms of lung cancer, according to Cancer Research UK
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK, killing more than 34,000 Brits every year.
But symptoms of the disease are often not noticeable until a later stage, by which time it has spread and treatment is less effective.
Every year since records began, more men than women have been diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK.
Between 2016 and 2018 there were an average 25,404 new cases each year in men and 23,396 in women.
When records began in the early 1990s, the gap was even bigger.
Alizée Froguel, Cancer Research UK’s prevention policy manager, said: ‘From 2022-24, 49.9 per cent of new lung cancer cases are projected to be in males, with 50.1 per cent in females.
‘By 2038-40, in comparison, 47.4 per cent of cases will be in males, with 52.6 per cent in females.
‘This change is mainly due to historical differences in smoking prevalence between the sexes.
‘Rates of smoking peaked much earlier in males than females, so lung cancer incidence in males has started falling earlier than in females.’
Figures show a greater proportion of men gave up smoking than women by the late 1970s, with almost as many female smokers as male during the 80s and 90s.
Combined with this, women make up a greater share of the older population.
Ms Froguel added: ‘Lung cancer causes more deaths in the UK than any other cancer type, and smoking is by far the biggest cause of the disease.
‘But funding cuts have meant that there aren’t enough public health campaigns to encourage people to quit smoking, and many people don’t have access to the services that will support them to do so.
‘If governments across the UK are serious about preventing cancer and achieving a smoke-free UK, they must urgently deliver the vital funding required to address the leading cause of cancer and save countless lives.’
It comes after the government last month announced everyone in England who has ever smoked will be offered lung cancer screening in middle age.
The national programme is expected to detect cancer sooner in as many as 9,000 people each year, boosting their survival odds.
Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer, accounting for more than 70 out of 100 cases, according to the NHS.
However, even people who have never smoked can also develop the disease, which mainly affects older people. More than four out of 10 people diagnosed are over 75.
Between 2016 and 2018 there were an average 25,404 new cases of lung cancer each year in men and 23,396 in women. However, the analysis by Cancer Research UK for The Guardian also suggested by 2038-40 some 34,835 women and 31,353 men would be diagnosed with the disease
There are two main forms of the disease — non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
The former accounts for eight in ten cases and is a less aggressive form of the disease.
Whereas the latter, small-cell lung cancer, is very aggressive and usually spreads faster. The survival rate tends to be lower for SCLC.
Symptoms are often not noticeable until the disease has spread through the lungs and to other parts of the body.
This means survival rates are lower than for some other cancers, with about two in five people with lung cancer surviving for at least a year after their diagnosis.
Speaking about Cancer Research UK’s projections, Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, urged women to be ‘vigilant’.
‘Whilst we are not surprised by these latest figures, they still paint a very stark picture. That said, knowledge can equal power,’ she said.
‘These calculations can serve as an important reminder to women about the prevalence of lung cancer and potentially minimise the devastation it could cause,’ she added.
‘Women are regularly reminded of the importance of checking for lumps in their breasts and attending mammogram appointments.
‘We now need them to be just as vigilant about potential lung cancer symptoms and going for lung screening, if invited.’
