Lung cancer deaths among women expected to rise 40% by 2030—breast cancer deaths to drop
Lung cancer mortality rates among women around the world could increase by 40 percent by 2030, according to a new study published in Cancer Research. Breast cancer mortality rates, meanwhile, are expected to decrease by 9 percent.
The authors examined data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database from 2008 to 2014. Data were collected from 52 countries, including 29 from Europe and 14 from North America and South America.
The global mortality rate for lung cancer is projected to increase from 11.2 per 100,000 person years in 2015 to 16 per 100,000 person years in 2030.
“While we have made great strides in reducing breast cancer mortality globally, lung cancer mortality rates among women are on the rise worldwide,” co-author Jose M. Martínez-Sánchez, PhD, MPH, BSc, with Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, said in a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research. “If we do not implement measures to reduce smoking behaviors in this population, lung cancer mortality will continue to increase throughout the world.”
The authors also noted that America and Asia are projected to have lower lung cancer mortality rates than Europe and Oceania.
“Different timelines have been observed in the tobacco epidemic across the globe,” Martínez-Sánchez said in the same news release. “This is because it was socially acceptable for women to smoke in the European and Oceanic countries included in our study many years before this habit was commonplace in America and Asia, which reflects why we are seeing higher lung cancer mortality rates in these countries.”
The global mortality rate for breast cancer is projected to decrease from 16.1 per 100,000 person years in 2015 to 14.7 per 100,000 person years in 2030.
“We are seeing an increase in breast cancer mortality in Asia because this culture is adapting a Westernized lifestyle, which often leads to obesity and increased alcohol intake, both of which can lead to breast cancer,” Martinez-Sánchez said. “On the other hand, we are witnessing a decrease in breast cancer mortality in Europe, which may be related to the awareness of breast cancer among this population, leading to active participation in screening programs and the improvement of treatments.”
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.