Lung cancer was the most common cancer diagnosed among residents of the SRRHIS region during 1991 through 1993. Lung cancer was reported diagnosed in 2,074 persons, 1,341 men and 733 women. Incidence rates were highest among black males (91.8 per 100,000), closely followed by white males (88.2) (Figure 14). However, the SRRHIS rate for black males was considerably lower than for the Atlanta or all SEER area, while the rate for white males was similar to the comparison populations. The incidence rate for white females in the SRRHIS region was half that of white men, but similar to comparison populations (SRRHIS: 43.5; Atlanta: 45.9; SEER: 43.5). For black females the incidence rate was quite low compared to other SRRHIS subgroups, or Atlanta or all SEER populations (SRRHIS: 23.0; Atlanta: 40.1; SEER: 48.4).

Although mortality rates are not the subject of this report, it should be noted that lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among both men and women in Georgia and South Carolina.

Lung cancer is almost entirely preventable, with at least 85 percent of lung cancer deaths directly attributable to cigarette smoking. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke also contributes to lung cancer risk among nonsmokers. Occupational exposures known to increase lung cancer risk include asbestos, arsenic, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, chromium, nickel and radon gas. Generally cigarette smoking in combination with these exposures greatly compounds risk of lung cancer. Residential radon gas exposure is also thought to contribute to lung cancer risk. Laboratory and epidemiologic studies have suggested a protective effect for diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, probably due to increased intake of vitamins A, C, E, selenium and other micronutrient (Miller, 93).

Five year relative survival rates for lung cancer are quite poor, about 13 percent for all stages, but they increase to 47 percent for persons diagnosed with localized disease (Kosary, 95). However, in the SRRHIS population only 22 percent of the patients had localized cancer at diagnosis, while 36 percent had distant disease.