If you’re a woman in America, the cancer most likely to take your life isn’t breast cancer. It’s lung cancer. And Black women face even greater risks.
Despite its alarming toll, lung cancer remains overlooked, under-screened, and underfunded. Black women have higher death rates despite lower smoking rates. While lung cancer rates are declining among men, they continue to rise in women. And it’s no longer just about smoking.
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Why Lung Cancer Deserves More Attention
According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer causes more deaths than breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers combined. Yet public awareness remains low, and many women still believe they’re too young or too healthy to be at risk.
Black Americans are disproportionately affected. As reported by the American Cancer Society, systemic barriers in screening, diagnosis, and treatment contribute to worse outcomes, even though Black communities smoke less on average.
Here’s what every woman needs to know about lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Doesn’t Care How Old You Are
Many women in their 20s and 30s still believe lung cancer is an older person’s disease. But that’s not the full story. While most diagnoses occur between ages 55 and 65, women under 50 are now being diagnosed at higher rates than men in the same age group. In fact, women younger than 45 are more likely than men to develop lung cancer, according to a report published by the American Cancer Society.
You Don’t Have to Smoke to Be at Risk
Smoking remains the biggest risk factor, but it’s not the only one. According to the CDC, about 1 in 10 lung cancer cases occur in people who’ve never smoked. And women who’ve never smoked are still more likely than men to develop the disease. Exposure to radon, air pollution, and certain processed foods may also increase risk.
If you do smoke, quitting is still the most powerful step you can take. But don’t assume that being a nonsmoker means you’re in the clear.
Survival Rates Aren’t Improving Fast Enough
Here’s the good news: five-year survival rates have doubled, rising from 13% to 27%, according to the Lung Cancer Initiative. That’s thanks to better screening, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. But lung cancer still causes more deaths than any other cancer in the U.S.
Women with lung cancer often face worse outcomes than men, especially when diagnosed late. Symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions. Watch for:
- A persistent cough.
- Shortness of breath.
- Hoarseness.
- Chest pain.
- Coughing up blood.
If something feels off, don’t wait.
You Might Need to Advocate for Screening
Low-dose CT scans can detect lung cancer early, before symptoms appear. But access and awareness remain uneven. Updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society now recommend screening for adults aged 50 to 80 with a 20-pack-year smoking history. Still, fewer than half of eligible people are getting screened.
If you’re at risk, ask your doctor directly. And if you’re uninsured or underinsured, look into community screening programs or patient navigators who can help.
Treatment Is Evolving and You Have Options
Today’s lung cancer care looks very different than it did even five years ago. Advances include:
- Targeted therapies for specific genetic mutations like KRAS, EGFR, and ALK.
- Immunotherapy that activates your immune system to fight cancer cells.
- Minimally invasive surgeries and robotic techniques that reduce recovery time.
- Same-day diagnosis and treatment in some centers, reducing delays.
If you’re diagnosed, your care team may recommend surgery, radiation, medication, or a combination. You may also qualify for a clinical trial offering cutting-edge treatments.
The Bottom Line
Lung cancer is still the deadliest cancer for women, but it doesn’t have to be. Awareness, early detection, and access to care can change the outcome. Whether you’re a smoker, a nonsmoker, young, or older, your risk is real, and your health is worth protecting.
If you’re concerned, speak up. If you’re eligible, get screened. And if you’re diagnosed, know that you are not alone, and you are not without options.
Resources:
Lung Cancer Trends Brief | American Lung Association
Cancer Disparities in the Black Community | American Cancer Society
Cancer Incidence Rate for Women Under 50 Rises Above Men’s | American Cancer Society
Lung Cancer Among People Who Never Smoked | Lung Cancer | CDC
