Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths by almost 20,000 patients a year. Past studies have shown women are more likely than
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths by almost 20,000 patients a year. Past studies have shown women are more likely than men to develop adenocarcinoma, a subtype of lung cancer. Women who have never smoked are also more likely to develop lung cancer than men who have never smoked.
Whether women are more susceptible than men to the cancer-causing effects of tobacco smoke is debatable. What is not debatable, is that lung cancer is a biologically different disease in women. Researchers say the increase in female smokers is only one cause of the rise in lung cancer , Genetic, metabolic and hormonal factors are all important to the way women react to carcinogens and lung cancer .Researchers also say evidence suggests these differences are partly due to estrogen. Studies have shown an association between estrogen replacement therapy and adenocarcinoma. In addition, lung cancer cells have been found to have more estrogen receptors on their surface than normal lung cells.
Researchers say more emphasize and importance needs to be given , to prevent this situation from repeating in developing countries by implementing effective tobacco control measures.
