Definition

Incidence rate of invasive lung and bronchus cancer for a defined population in a specified time interval. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. Rates are per 100,000 population.

Numerator

Number of new cases of lung and bronchus cancer among a defined population in a specified time interval.

Denominator

Defined population in a specified time interval.

Why Is This Important?

In New Jersey 2,845 men and 3,161 women were diagnosed with cancer of the lung or bronchus during 2018. Lung cancer causes the most cancer deaths among New Jersey residents - over 1,670 among men and 1,650 among women in 2019. Cigarette smoking is believed to be responsible for almost 90% of all lung cancer cases. Other risk factors include second-hand smoke, residential radon exposure, high doses of ionizing radiation such as might be received from therapeutic radiation treatment, and certain occupational exposures. Air pollution, specifically particulates from burning fossil fuel, is also a risk factor for lung cancer.

How Are We Doing?

Between 1990 and 2018, the age-adjusted incidence rate of lung and bronchus cancer in New Jersey men declined from about 107 cases per 100,000 to about 57 cases per 100,000. Among NJ woman in the lung and bronchus age-adjusted cancer incidence rate increased and then decreased slightly averaging 53.9 cases per 100,000 for the same time period, 1990-2018. Past smoking patterns among men and women are the main cause for these trends. The percentage of women who smoke began decreasing rapidly in the mid-1980's, while the percentage of men who smoke began decreasing rapidly much earlier (before 1965). The lifetime risk of developing lung and bronchus cancer is 1 in 15 for men and 1 in 17 for women.

What Is Being Done?

A Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was developed by the Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment in New Jersey which aims to reduce the incidence, illness and death due to cancer among New Jersey residents. [https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ncccp/ccc_plans.htm]

Health Program Information

Two fact sheets on lung cancer and its risk factors are available from the NJDOH: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/documents/caradonsmoking.pdf] [https://www.state.nj.us/health/ces/documents/briefs/lungcancer.pdf]