New Survey Finds Most Women Don’t Know Much About Lung Cancer Even Though It’s the Leading Cancer Killer of Women in the U.S.

MADISON, Wis., June 2 /PRNewswire/ — Every year in the U.S. lung cancer strikes more than 80,000 women and over 70,000 of them die from it. It is the top cancer killer of women, with over 30,000 more women dying annually from lung cancer than from breast cancer. In fact, lung cancer claims more women’s lives than breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined. Yet, a new national survey of women ages 18 to 65+ released today by the National Lung Cancer Partnership (formerly Women Against Lung Cancer) finds that most women don’t know these important facts and are doing little to learn more.

Only 12 percent of women, and merely 7 percent of women under 45, believe they know the symptoms of lung cancer. In addition, less than 10 percent of women say they have talked to their doctors about their risk for lung cancer.

“Lung cancer is often perceived as a man’s disease, yet it affects tens of thousands of women, and we’re very concerned that women seem to be in the dark when it comes to the facts about lung cancer and the significant impact lung cancer can have on their lives,” said Joan Schiller, MD, president, National Lung Cancer Partnership. “It is our goal to help women understand and be aware of their risks for lung cancer so they can be the best advocates for their own health. We also want women to know that they can help increase funding for lung cancer research by making their voices heard.”

YOUNG WOMEN WHO’VE NEVER SMOKED ARE AT RISK

Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are over 50, but even young women are at risk. Women make up the majority of young lung cancer patients, and also account for the majority of never-smokers with the disease.

According to the survey, women under 45 are less likely than women over 45 to believe that lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer annually. Younger women also are less likely to believe that the majority of lung cancer patients under age 40 are women. Although younger women are less likely than older women to know the symptoms of lung cancer, women ages 18-24 were more likely than the other women surveyed to have talked to their doctors about their risk for lung cancer.

“As a clinical researcher who treats both breast and lung cancer patients, these survey results echo what I see in my own practice,” said Kathy Albain, MD, vice president, National Lung Cancer Partnership. “Women are very aware of their risk of breast cancer, but not so for lung cancer.”

Among the survey’s other findings were the following about these TRUE statements:

   —  Only 41 percent of women know that lung cancer is the leading cancer       killer in the U.S.    —  Only 36 percent know that lung cancer kills more women than breast       cancer.    —  Only 29 percent of women know that lung cancer kills more women than       breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined.    —  Only 8 percent of women know that exposure to radon gas is the second       leading cause of lung cancer.  Instead, 60 percent of women mistakenly       believe it is exposure to second-hand smoke.    —  Only 41 percent of women know that one in 17 women will develop lung       cancer in her lifetime.    —  Only 18 percent of women know that women make up the majority of young       (under age 40) lung cancer patients.    —  Only 4 percent of women know that women typically fare better than men       after treatment for lung cancer.   

In addition, nearly a quarter of all women, and more than a third of women aged 25 to 34, mistakenly believe there is a standard screening test to detect lung cancer in its early stages. Although such tests are in development, there is no clinically-approved screening test for this nation’s top cancer killer.

“This survey is a current snapshot of women’s attitudes and beliefs about lung cancer, and it’s frightening — especially considering the extensive media coverage on the topic after Peter Jennings’ and Dana Reeve’s deaths,” said Regina Vidaver, PhD, executive director of National Lung Cancer Partnership. “Women need to know the truth about lung cancer. They also need to know lung cancer has been shortchanged in terms of research funding, thus delaying progress in developing new and more effective treatments.”

National Lung Cancer Partnership is the only national lung cancer organization founded by physicians and researchers and focused on understanding how the disease affects women and men differently. The 501(c) (3) organization was founded in 2001. For more information, go to http://www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org/ .

Survey results are based on a nationally representative sample of 517 U.S. women aged 18 and over. The survey was conducted online by Synovate in April 2006. Results have a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

               WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LUNG CANCER    1.   Lung cancer affects women differently than men, and young women        (under 40) are at greater risk for developing lung cancer than young        men.    2.   More women die of lung cancer than any other cancer, including breast        cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancers combined.    3.   Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, so if you smoke, quit.    4.   Your risk of lung cancer continues to decline with every year you        don’t smoke.  However, if you used to smoke, you remain at increased        risk for lung cancer for at least 20 years after you quit.    5.   Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, so if you live in        an area with high levels of radium in the bedrock, have your house        tested for radon exposure.  To find out more, go to        http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/zonemap.html .    6.   Risk factors for lung cancer other than smoking include lung scarring        from infection with tuberculosis and occupational or environmental        exposures to radon, second-hand smoke, radiation, asbestos, air        pollution, arsenic and some organic chemicals.    7.   Symptoms of lung cancer may include a cough that won’t go away,        chest, shoulder or back pain that won’t go away, unexplained        wheezing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, coughing up blood,        swelling in the neck and face, difficulty swallowing, weight loss and        loss of appetite, increasing fatigue and weakness, and recurring        respiratory infections such as pneumonia.    8.   Lung cancer, like any other cancer, is most treatable when detected        early.  If you smoke now or smoked in the past, or have a family        history of lung cancer, talk to your doctor about screening tests        that may be available to you.    9.   Although lung cancer is a serious disease, women typically fare        better than men after treatment for lung cancer.    10.  Eating a well balanced diet — including fruits and        vegetables — helps reduce the risk of lung cancer.    11.  Lung cancer research is significantly under-funded, despite the fact        that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of women in the U.S.        Less money is spent on lung cancer research than on the next three        top cancer killers. To find out how you can help, go to        http://www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org/ .     Contact:  Sara Conley             312-558-1770              Regina Vidaver             608-233-7905             608 -239-8963 (June 1-5)  

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Regina Vidaver, PhD http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=10024651 Joan Schiller, MD http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=10024657

National Lung Cancer Partnership

CONTACT: Sara Conley, +1-312-558-1770, or Regina Vidaver,+1-608-233-7905, +1-608 -239-8963 (June 1-5), both for National Lung CancerPartnership

Web site: http://www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org/http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/zonemap.html