A common misconception surrounding lung cancer is that it primarily affects older men who are smokers or once were. The reality is women are just as likely to develop the disease as their male counterparts. Furthermore, research shows lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women today and the second leading cause of death overall. While women are equally as likely to develop lung cancer, the disease can affect them differently compared to men, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
The award-winning oncology team at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island specializes in lung cancer treatment and routine lung screening for men and women. Here, we detail the gender differences in lung cancer and what women should watch out for.
Are Lung Cancer Rates Rising in Women?
Yes, lung cancer rates are increasing in women overall. According to the American Lung Association, over the past 42 years, men have experienced a 36% decrease in lung cancer diagnoses. Simultaneously, there was an 84% increase in lung cancer diagnoses among women.
One reason for this is women have begun smoking in greater numbers over the past 60 years. However, rates of lung cancer in non-smoking women have increased as well. Studies indicate about 20% of women with lung cancer have never smoked. This is a higher rate than men with lung cancer who have never smoked. Researchers are still trying to uncover the reasons why.
Comparing Risk Factors
The known risk factors of lung cancer are very similar across men and women. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are the biggest risk factors, contributing to 90% of cases. Exposure to asbestos, radon gas, or toxic chemicals in the environment, personal or family history of lung disease or lung cancer, and poor diet are other risk factors for lung cancer that impact men and women equally.
One glaring difference between men and women and their risk for developing lung cancer is estrogen, the female sex hormone. This is because estrogen encourages the growth of tumor cells. Women have a higher risk of lung cancer due to lifetime exposure to estrogen, including early periods, late menopause, giving birth later in life, and taking hormone therapy for menopause.
Comparing Symptoms
Men and women display similar symptoms of lung cancer. In both genders, symptoms are very mild or nonexistent in the cancer’s earliest stages. As the condition progresses, symptoms tend to worsen and become more severe.
The symptoms of lung cancer affecting men and women include:
- Shortness of breath with physical exertion
- Fatigue
- Discomfort in the shoulders, neck, or back
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Chronic and persistent cough with or without blood
- Throat discomfort or hoarseness
- Wheezing
- Trouble swallowing
- Fever
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Recurrent lung infections (pneumonia or bronchitis)
While men and women are likely to experience similar lung cancer symptoms, some may be more prominent based on gender. Men are more likely to experience symptoms that affect the main airways, causing coughing and breathing difficulty. Women more commonly have lung cancers in other parts of the lungs, causing coughing, shortness of breath, overwhelming fatigue, and back, chest, or shoulder pain.
Comparing Treatment and Prognosis
The path to treatment of lung cancer tends to be the same for men and women, often involving a combination of treatment methods. The most common methods of treatment include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and surgery.
In general, the rate of survival for lung cancer is low for men and women, especially if found in later stages. Some evidence shows women with more advanced stages of lung cancer respond better to combinations of chemotherapy than men. Furthermore, women tend to have a better prognosis than men, especially if they are non-smokers.
Studies are ongoing to explain why women have better survival rates. Some experts in the field believe it is due to women being more likely to seek medical attention and more inclined to improve their lifestyle choices after a diagnosis.
Regardless of gender, early detection of lung cancer is imperative to successful treatment. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual lung cancer screening for men and women ages 50 to 80 with a 20-pack-a-year smoking history or who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Lung Cancer Treatment for Men and Women in Staten Island
Men and women will find comprehensive lung cancer care from the dedicated oncology team at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, New York. Board-certified oncologists deliver award-winning care that helps patients manage lung cancer. We offer a wide range of effective treatment options that fit the diagnosis. Contact us today to learn more about lung cancer and its effect on men and women or to schedule an appointment.
