Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer associated with mortality in both men and women; it causes one in four cancer deaths. The rate of lung cancer among men is nearly twice that of women-- although this gap is narrowing as more women take up smoking. Lung cancer takes 10 to 30 years to develop and so it is most common among long term smokers who are age 50 or older. Only 13% of people with lung cancer survive 5 years or more.

Smokers have a 15 to 25 times greater risk of developing lung cancer than nonsmokers. It is responsible for 90 percent of lung cancers in men and 70 percent of lung cancers in women. Even secondhand smoke can increase risk by two to three times. So the best way to prevent lung cancer is to be a non-smoker. Next best, is early detection. Only 16% of lung cancers are caught in the early stages; about 46% of individuals who catch it early will survive 5 years. The primary risk factors for lung cancer are summarized below.

Warning Signs of Lung Cancer

• Chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Repeated lung infections or pneumonia
• Chest wall pain
• Pus-filled or bloody sputum
• Lung collapse or pneumothorax

More information on lung cancer can be found by visiting the American Cancer Society .