Women and Lung Cancer: Waiting to Exhale

摘要: Lung cancer is now the leading cause of deaths among women. In United States, 64,300 women are expected to die lung in 1996. Smoking responsible for about 80% cases. Unfortunately, prevalence smoking remains unacceptably high at 22% and surpass rate men by year 2000. rates highest young girls less educated. Whether represents a different disease than unclear. Data conflicting regarding magnitude relative risk developing due between genders. There appears be difference distribution histologic features that not explained entirely differences patterns. Women who smoke appear higher small cell squamous cancer, whereas have similar two conditions. Furthermore, smokers more likely develop adenocarcinoma lung, estrogens may play causative role this phenomenon. unclear whether outcome treatment differs Solutions epidemic US include (1) prevention reducing rates, (2) improving early detection methods, (3) exploring new therapeutic strategies.