Who gets lung cancer?
Lung cancer is now the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among men and women — next only to prostate and breast cancer, respectively. While both genders are susceptible to lung cancer, individuals who smoke tobacco are placed at an elevated risk. Almost 90% of all lung cancer cases within the United States are smoking-related. Traditionally, lung cancer has affected men more so than women; however, current and former female smokers are now believed to have greater chances of developing lung cancer when compared to their male counterparts, who smoke or have smoked an equal amount. The reason for this is unknown, but researchers speculate that women are simply more vulnerable to the various cancer-causing agents found in tobacco. Estrogen is also taken into consideration when trying to explain this phenomenon, as is the fact that women are less likely to quit smoking. Though firsthand smoking is said to be the primary risk factor for both men and women, there are several other fact
