Lung Cancer Statistics

Statistics of Lung Cancer and Asbestos Risks

Lung cancer statistics allow us to measure the scope of this public health issue, the effectiveness of treatments, and the odds of survival.

Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in the U.S. for men and women. While smoking is the most common cause, asbestos exposure can greatly increase the risk.

Lung Cancer Statistics 2024

• Over 5% of people will develop lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.
• The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there will be 234,580 new cases of lung cancer and 125,070 lung cancer deaths in 2024.
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., accounting for 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths.
• Asbestos accounts for 34,287 lung cancer deaths per year. This means at least 27% of lung cancer deaths are linked to asbestos.

Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to view top lung cancer statistics and learn about treatments and compensation that can help you after a diagnosis.

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Statistics on Lung Cancer Causes

Smoking and asbestos exposure are among the most common causes of lung cancer.

See statistics on the causes and risk factors of lung cancer:

• Smoking: Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. It accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. The more cigarettes you smoke and how many years you smoke increase your risk.
• Asbestos exposure: Lung cancer is the most common cancer caused by asbestos, according to a report published in Epidemiology. Nearly 1 in 3 lung cancer deaths are linked to asbestos.
• Secondhand smoke: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people exposed to secondhand smoke are 20-30% more likely to develop lung cancer.
• Other potential causes: Radon, other environmental toxins, and genetics can all put you at risk of lung cancer.

Your odds of developing lung cancer increases with multiple risk factors — most notably, if you were exposed to asbestos and smoked.

“Smoking tobacco combined with asbestos exposure greatly increases the chance of developing lung cancer.”
— Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry (ATSDR)

The European Respiratory Review noted that smokers exposed to asbestos have a 100-fold increase in developing lung cancer.

Statistics on Lung Cancer Types

There are three main types of lung cancer. Lung cancer statistics show that the type you have impacts your overall health outlook.

Lung cancer types include:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type, accounting for about 80-85% of cases, per the ACS. This type doesn’t spread as fast, meaning patients can potentially live longer.
• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Between 10% and 15% of lung cancer patients have this type. It is typically harder to treat than NSCLC.
• Lung carcinoid tumors: Making up 1-2% of lung cancer cases, it’s the easiest type to treat.

While asbestos exposure can cause any type of lung cancer,.there’s no way to know which type of lung cancer you may develop.

Lung Cancer Statistics by Demographics

Demographic factors (age, gender, overall health, and your job) can all impact the likelihood of developing lung cancer. View top lung cancer demographic statistics below.

Lung Cancer Risks by Job

Those who work in blue-collar industries are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, as they’re more likely to have smoked and/or been exposed to toxic chemicals like asbestos.

Some occupations at a high risk of asbestos lung cancer include:

• Auto mechanics
• Construction workers
• Insulators
• Miners
• Shipyard workers and sailors
• Factory workers
• U.S. veterans

“Studies have been conducted of sailors involved in the maintenance, repair, and operation of seagoing vessels. Most of these studies have shown an excess of asbestos-associated diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.”
— International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Lung Cancer Age Statistics

Lung cancer rates are highest among older people, though anyone can develop this illness.

Here are notable lung cancer statistics related to age:

• The age group with the highest rates of newly diagnosed lung cancer is 70 and older.
• From 2017 to 2021, there were 115,805 new cases of lung cancer in people between the ages of 80-84 in the U.S., according to the CDC.
• Lung cancer patients over the age of 80 had a life expectancy of just 1 year, compared to 2 years in those 60 or younger, according to a report from ERJ Open Research.

Older patients may not be able to safely receive major lung cancer treatments like surgery, which can impact their overall odds of long-term survival.

Lung Cancer Statistics by Sex

As of 2024, women are at a slightly higher risk of developing lung cancer, according to the ACS.

Notable lung cancer statistics by sex include:

• The ACS estimates that more than 116,000 men and over 118,000 women will develop lung cancer in 2024.
• Over 65,000 men and more than 59,000 women are expected to die from lung cancer in 2024.
• Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women, as noted by LUNGevity Foundation. Compared to breast cancer, lung cancer kills 1.5 times as many women.

Lung cancer incidence rates are slowly decreasing in both men and women, mainly because fewer people are smoking, a 2024 CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians report notes.

Lung Cancer Group is here to help anyone who’s eligible pursue compensation for expenses after a diagnosis. Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide now to see how we can assist you.

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Lung Cancer Statistics by Race

Black men have the highest lung cancer rates and deaths of all races, according to a 2022 CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians report.

Other lung cancer statistics by ethnicity include:

• The ALA notes that 1 in 16 Black men and 1 in 20 Black women will develop lung cancer.
• Black people with lung cancer are 15% less likely to get an early diagnosis and 11% more likely to not receive treatment for lung cancer, according to the ALA.
• Non-white people accounted for over 22,000 lung cancer deaths in 2021 (the year with the most recent data available).

“Individuals of color with lung cancer face worse outcomes compared to white individuals in America because they are less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to receive surgical treatment, and more likely to not receive any treatment.”
— American Lung Association (ALA)

Lung Cancer Statistics by Socioeconomic Factors

Lung cancer data shows people with lower socioeconomic status have higher rates of lung cancer.

Socioeconomic factors that influence lung cancer rates include:

• Having lower education levels
• Having lower income levels
• Working in a blue-collar career

People who have a lower socioeconomic status are also less likely to undergo lung cancer screenings and have a higher risk of dying from lung cancer.

Statistics on Lung Cancer Mortality Rates

Nearly 350 people die from lung cancer every day in the U.S., as noted by a 2024 report from CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Here are lung cancer death statistics by specific causes:

• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes is responsible for 80-90% of all lung cancer deaths, the CDC notes.
• Asbestos: Asbestos accounts for at least 27% of deaths from lung cancer, according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). However, because many cases may be attributed to smoking, the actual number could be up to 40%.
• Secondhand smoke: About 3,000 people die from lung cancer linked to secondhand smoke each year in the U.S. alone.

That said, lung cancer death rates are declining overall due to several factors, including lower smoking rates, better and more effective treatments, and early detection.

Statistics on Lung Cancer Stage at Time of Diagnosis

Lung cancer stage allows doctors to assess how far tumors have spread. While lung cancer is easier to treat if it hasn’t spread, most cases are diagnosed in an advanced stage.

Here are the most recent statistics on lung cancer rates by stage from the SEER program:

• Localized (contained to one area): 22%
• Regional (started to spread): 21%
• Distant (spread throughout body): 53%
• Unstaged: 5%

For best results, see a doctor if you develop symptoms of lung cancer like a cough or chest pain and if you smoked or were exposed to asbestos. By seeing a doctor promptly, you may be able to get a diagnosis before the cancer spreads.

Though it’s more common to be diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, you could still become a long-term survivor depending on how your body responds to treatments.

Lung Cancer Survival Statistics

Many lung cancer statistics measure the average prognosis, or expected health outcome, for patients.

Lung cancer prognosis statistics typically include relative survival rate (percentage of patients still alive after a certain number of years) and life expectancy (average amount of time patients live after a diagnosis).

Here are general lung cancer survival and prognosis statistics:

• The average lung cancer survival rate is 26.6%, as noted by the ALA
• Lung cancer life expectancy ranges from 7-16 months

Lung cancer survival statistics can vary depending on factors like the stage, type, and treatment used. View more of these statistics below.

Survival Statistics by Lung Cancer Type

Each type of lung cancer has its own unique survival statistics.

NSCLC has a more favorable prognosis since it’s typically easier to treat than SCLC.

Survival Statistics by Lung Cancer Stage

The SEER program keeps track of 5-year lung cancer survival rates by stage.

Even though advanced-stage lung cancer has a low survival rate, it still may be possible for you to outlive it with the right care plan.

Lung Cancer Treatment Statistics

Getting lung cancer treatment gives you the best chance of improving your survival time after a diagnosis.

Here are lung cancer statistics related to different treatments:

• Surgery: Surgeries can be used to remove lung cancer tumors, along with part or all of the lung closest to them. The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer surgery is roughly 65%, according to a Thoracic Oncology: Original Research report.
• Chemotherapy: This is cancer-killing medication. The 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced NSCLC who received chemotherapy was 14%, as noted in a recent Journal of Clinical Oncology study.
• Immunotherapy: Immune-boosting drugs can help the body find and destroy lung cancer cells. In the Journal of Clinical Oncology report above, advanced-stage NSCLC patients had a 5-year survival rate of 24%.
• Radiation: With this treatment, doctors use high-powered beams of energy to break up tumors. The 5-year survival rate was 45% when a type of radiation called radiofrequency ablation was used to treat NSCLC.

Doctors can determine the best treatments to use in your case following a diagnosis.

Lung Cancer Compensation Statistics

Lung cancer treatments are expensive, sometimes costing tens of thousands of dollars or more. You or a loved one may be eligible to receive different types of lung cancer compensation to ease this financial burden.

Here are top lung cancer compensation options:

• Lung cancer lawsuits: A lawsuit for lung cancer can provide you with money needed to cover your expenses, with many patients receiving over $1 million. These lawsuits are filed against companies that made and sold asbestos-containing products. Almost all lawsuits reach settlements, saving you the hassle of an in-court trial.
• Asbestos trust funds: You may be eligible to file claims with trusts set up by bankrupt asbestos companies. These funds contain over $30 billion today.
• VA benefits: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers financial benefits to veterans with lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases. This includes nearly $4,000 in monthly financial payouts and free or low-cost medical care.

You can still pursue lung cancer compensation even if you smoked. Find out more about compensation options in our Free Lung Cancer Guide.

Get Our Free Lung Cancer Guide

• Understand risk factors
• Find top treatments
• Pursue compensation

Get the Guide

Get the Support You Need for Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer statistics can help you understand your diagnosis more clearly, allowing you to take action and move forward.

At Lung Cancer Group, we’re here to support you and your loved ones after a diagnosis in any way we can.

Work with our team to:

• Find and explore more lung cancer statistics
• Learn about lung cancer treatment options
• Seek compensation to cover your expenses

Far too many people have developed lung cancer due to preventable asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one have been harmed, we are here to walk with you through your cancer journey.

Call (877) 446-5767 or get a Free Lung Cancer Guide now.