Lung cancer
What is lung cancer?1,2
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Prevalence of lung cancer
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with around 49,200 people diagnosed each year (2017 – 2019).3 It is one of the least survivable cancers with around 34,800 deaths taking place in the UK every year (2017 – 2019). Together the six less survivable cancers are responsible for half of all deaths from common cancers, and make up a quarter of cancer cases.3,4 Over the last decade, the prevalence of lung cancer has remained stable, with rates in females increasing by 11%, and rates in males decreasing by 13% (2017 – 2019).3
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
The symptoms of lung cancer may not be experienced at the earlier stages of the disease, but there are some common signs as the disease progresses.1
Lung cancer symptoms1
Treatment options for lung cancer
A patient's treatment options are largely dependent on the stage of the disease and the type of lung cancer. They may include:1
Surgery
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy (NSCLC)
Immunotherapy
Radiofrequency ablation
References
1 Cleveland Clinic. Lung cancer. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4375-lung-cancer
Last accessed: March 2025
2 American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer? Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/about/what-is.html
Last accessed: March 2025
3 Cancer Research UK. Lung cancer statistics. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/lung-cancer#heading-Zero
Last accessed: March 2025
4 Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce. Available at: https://lesssurvivablecancers.org.uk/
Last accessed: March 2025
March 2025 | ONC-GB-2500015