Lung cancer cases in women rise

Smoking causes lung cancer

Lung cancer cases in women are continuing to rise, according to figures released by Cancer Research UK.

It says more than 18,000 UK women were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, compared with fewer than 8,000 in 1975.

Cases of lung cancer reflect smoking rates two to three decades earlier, as more than 80% of cases are linked to tobacco.

Lung cancer is still more common in men, with more than 23,000 cases in 2009, but rates have been falling fast.

That means lung cancer incidence is now just under 59 per 100,000 UK men compared with 110 in 1975.

The comparable figure for women was 39 in every 100,000 women in 2009 - but 22 in 1975.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's information director, said: "Lung cancer continues to claim far too many lives.

"More than four in five cases of the disease are caused directly by smoking. But this means nearly one in five cases is not.

"It's really important that anyone with a cough that lasts for three weeks or a worsening or a change in a long-standing cough get this checked out.

"Also, it's never too late to give up smoking - you will reduce your risk of developing lung cancer and other serious diseases."