Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
An estimated 164,100 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2000. Each year, more than 156,900 men and women die from lung cancer. Lung cancer mortality rates are about 23 times higher for current male smokers and 13 times higher for current female smokers compared to lifelong never-smokers. During 1992-1996, mortality from lung cancer declined among men, while rates among women were increasing nationally. Since 1987, more women died from lung cancer than breast cancer.