Indicator Report - Lung Cancer Deaths
Why Is This Important?Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Utah and the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that 159,480 U.S. deaths will be due to lung cancer in 2013. Because symptoms often do not appear until the disease is advanced, early detection of this cancer is difficult.
Cigarette smoking is the single most important risk factor for lung cancer. There are more than 80 carcinogens in cigarette smoke. Other risk factors include occupational or environmental exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos (particularly among smokers), certain metals (chromium, cadmium, arsenic), some organic chemicals, radiation, air pollution, and probably a medical history of tuberculosis. Genetic susceptibility plays a contributing role in the development of lung cancer, especially in those who develop the disease at a younger age.
Data NotesAge-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population using 3 groups, 0-44, 45-64, and 65+.
*Use caution in interpreting, rate for Pacific Islander; the estimate has a coefficient of variation >30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health standards.
Data SourcesUtah Death Certificate Database, Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Utah Department of Health. Population Estimates by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for Counties in Utah, U.S. Bureau of the Census, IBIS Version 2013.
DefinitionThe rate of death from lung cancer (ICD-10: C33-C34) per 100,000 persons.
How We Calculated the Rates
Page Content Updated On 11/04/2014, Published on 12/02/2014