Lung cancer our biggest killer

LUNG cancer is now the biggest killer of Victorian women, overtaking breast cancer as the leading cause of mortality.

It’s now the most likely cancer to claim both men and women’s lives with only 18 per cent of those diagnosed with lung cancer alive five years later.

Health experts say the statistics are as a result of a peak in prevalence of female smoking in the 1970s when cigarettes were being marketed as being slimming, glamourous and symbols of independence.

Victorian Cancer Registry director Helen Farrugia said it can take 40 years for the consequences of tobacco use to re- veal itself statistics.

Since 2006, breast and lung cancer were tied for the ominous title of the leading cause of cancer deaths, but she said in 2013 lung cancer overtook breast cancer for the first time.

The change has now been confirmed as a trend after three consecutive years with the same result.

Cancer Council chief executive Todd Harper said 80 per cent of lung cancers can be attributed to smoking.

There were 885 lung cancer deaths in Victorian women in 2016 compared with 745 breast cancer deaths.

“Whilst most types of lung in population cancer show declining incidence, rates of adenocarcinoma are increasing in both men and women,” he said.

He said this type of lung cancer had been attributed to the make-up of modern cigarettes, which contain chemicals called nitrosamines.

“Quitting smoking is the best lifestyle change you can make to reduce your risk of cancer,” he said.

In a positive sign, the new Cancer Council report reveals overall survival rates for cancer have improved with 68 per cent of Victorians diagnosed with any type of cancer still alive after five years.