08 November 2007

Lung cancer to overtake breast cancer as biggest killer

Within just three years lung cancer will surpass breast cancer as the single largest cause of cancer death in NSW women, according to new figures released to mark National Lung Cancer Awareness Day.

Assistant Health Minister (Cancer) Verity Firth said the new figures from the NSW Government's Cancer Institute show a growing number of lung cancer deaths amongst the State's women.

"Alarmingly, the number of NSW women dying from lung cancer is set to hit 939 by 2010 - an increase of 12 per cent on the 2004 figure of 837 and overtaking breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in NSW women," said Ms Firth.

In 2010, breast cancer is expected to claim the lives of 896 NSW women as the rate of breast cancer deaths continues to decline.

"These projections mean that by 2010 lung cancer will be the leading cause of cancer death in both NSW men and women, with only 13 per cent of males and 15 per cent of females expected to be alive five years after diagnosis," said Ms Firth.

"To put it bluntly, lung cancer kills more of its victims than almost any other cancer."

For more than 50 years it has been an established medical fact that the single biggest preventable cause of lung cancer is the smoking of cigarettes, with around eight out of 10 new cases of the disease caused by this habit.

"So in other words, lung cancer is largely preventable," said Ms Firth.

"Accordingly, the NSW Government has almost tripled to $12 million funding for mass media quit-smoking campaigns.

"Our use of graphic and confronting images has already contributed to a dramatic reduction in the number of smokers in NSW.

"In fact, the NSW smoking rate is one of the lowest in the developed world."

The NSW daily smoking rate has hit a record low of 13.9 per cent, with the rate in women down to just 12.9%.

In the last three years, an estimated 150,000 smokers have kicked the habit, saving the State's economy between $1 and $2.5 billion over the next two decades.

"Our investment in public health campaigns complements the recently introduced ban on indoor smoking at the State's 3,700 licensed establishments, giving smokers yet one more good reason to quit."

"While we are making real progress in tackling the preventable causes of cancer, I believe there is still more the Government can do, particularly when it comes to the community's understanding of lung cancer and its current treatments.

"I would urge anyone wanting to quit smoking to call the NSW Quitline on 137 848."

This year alone, more than 3,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in NSW.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au