The Top 5 Countries with the Highest Lung Cancer Mortality Rate

  Country Lung Cancer Mortality Rate
(ASR per 100,000)
1 Hungary 46.0
2 French Polynesia 38.2
3 Serbia 36.7
4 Armenia 35.8
5 Poland 34.9
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 Special Report
  1. Lung cancer has been the most common cancer in the world for several decades, and by 2008, there were an estimated 1.61 million new cases, representing 12.7% of all new cancers. It was also the most common cause of death from cancer, with 1.38 million deaths (18.2% of the total). (a.)
  2. The majority of the cases of lung cancer now occur in developing countries (55%). Lung cancer is still the most common cancer in men worldwide (1.1 million cases, 16.5% of the total), with high rates in Central-Eastern and Southern Europe, Northern America and Eastern Asia. Very low rates are still estimated in Middle and Western Africa (age standardized rates 2.8 and 3.1 per 100,000 respectively). (a.)
  3. In females, incidence rates are generally lower, but, worldwide, lung cancer is now the fourth most frequent cancer of women (516 000 cases, 8.5% of all cancers) and the second most common cause of death from cancer (427 000 deaths, 12.8% of the total). The highest incidence rate is observed in Northern America (where lung cancer it is now the second most frequent cancer in women), and the lowest in Middle Africa (15th most frequent cancer). (a.)
  4. Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for lung cancer, accounting for about 80% of lung cancer cases in men and 50% in women worldwide. Risk increases with quantity and duration of cigarette consumption. Cigar and pipe smoking also increase risk. Other risk factors for lung cancer include secondhand smoke, occupational or environmental exposures to radon and asbestos (particularly among smokers), certain metals (chromium, cadmium, arsenic), some organic chemicals, radiation, air pollution, coal smoke, and indoor emissions from burning other fuels. Genetic susceptibility contributes to risk, especially in those who develop the disease at a younger age. (b.)
  5. Lung cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Most lung cancers could be prevented by reducing smoking initiation among adolescents and increasing smoking cessation among adults. This requires a comprehensive tobacco control program that includes raising the price of tobacco products through excise taxes, banning smoking in public places, restricting tobacco advertising and promotion, counter-advertising, and providing treatment and counseling for tobacco dependence. In the United States, comprehensive tobacco control programs in many states have markedly decreased smoking rates and accelerated the reduction in lung cancer occurrence, particularly in California. In the developing world, there is a striking difference in smoking prevalence between men (50%) and women (9%). As women have not yet begun to smoke in large numbers in developing countries, preventing increases in smoking prevalence among women could have a major impact on future lung cancer rates and would provide an opportunity to avoid the mistakes made in developed countries where lung cancer rates skyrocketed as a result of the tobacco epidemic. (b.)
Top 5 facts sources:
  1. GLOBOCAN 2008. (2012). Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 10 [Internet]. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  2. American Cancer Society. (2008). Global Cancer Facts & Figures, 2nd Edition. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
Tags: Country Statistics, Top 5 Highest, Cancer statistics

Sources:  GLOBOCAN 2008, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 10 [Internet].

List Notes: Data is lung cancer age-standardized mortality rate for both sexes per 100,000 population for the year 2008 or latest available data. An age-standardized rate is the rate that a population would have if it had a standard age structure. Standardization is necessary when comparing several populations that differ with respect to age because age has a powerful influence on the risk of cancer. (list last updated by top 5 of Anything: May 26th, 2012).
Countries with the Highest Lung Cancer Mortality Rate

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