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Lung cancer on the rise in younger Spaniards, especially in women
One in 20 lung cancer patients in Spain is under 50 as genetic and environmental factors come into focus
Lung cancer usually affects older people, but it is increasingly being diagnosed in younger patients, especially women. In fact, about one in 20 cases, nearly 6%, are in people under 50. That’s significant shift considering the average age for diagnosis is around 70.Experts say it’s a mix of genetics and environmental factors, including pollution from solid fuels, radon in certain areas, and even second-hand smoke. Bartomeu Massuti, oncologist and secretary of the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (GECP), points out that these things all play a role.
While lung cancer has long been more common in men, that’s changing. Smoking rates among women increased from the 1970s onwards, and now lung cancer is the third most common cancer in Spanish women. Notably, younger women developing lung cancer often have non-smoking-related adenocarcinomas or cancers with treatable genetic changes.
You might also be interested in: Spain hikes up the price of cigarettes and tobacco
Despite advances in modern medicine, sadly, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in Spain, with over 23,000 deaths estimated in 2024, including a 7% rise in female mortality. Smoking persists as the leading direct cause, with nearly half the diagnosed patients being current or former smokers. Still, over 11% have never smoked, a group growing mainly among women and younger patients.
More than half of cases are diagnosed late, stage III or IV, which limits survival chances despite a 12% improvement in survival over the last decade thanks to research and treatments. The good news is survival rates are slowly improving thanks to better research and treatments, even though over half of patients are diagnosed at a late stage.
Despite lung cancer’s impact, only 4% of public cancer research funding in Spain goes to this disease. The GECP is calling for greater investment given the rising cases among younger people and the heavy toll it takes.
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