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Index: Health / Subcategory: Physical Health

Lung Cancer Incidence & Mortality

Date Updated: 09/29/2011

Chart Directory:

Incidence refers to the number of new invasive cancer diagnoses within a population during a defined time period. Mortality refers to the number or rate of deaths that occur in a population. Mortality data below are presented in age-adjusted rates on the charts, while crude death rates can be found in the data tables. Crude rates are calculated by dividing the number of occurrence of a specific disease by the number of people in the population. Crude rates should only be compared among populations with a similar age distribution. If the distribution is not similar, age-adjusted rates should be used to account for differences in the age composition of the populations. Note: Crude rates represent actual events. Although age-adjusted rates provide accurate comparisons, they do not reveal the underlying raw data shown by the crude rate.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for men and women (Cancer Facts & Figures 2011). Studies show that smoking tobacco products in any form is the major cause of lung cancer (Adult Tobacco Use). Environmental or second-hand tobacco smoke is also implicated in causing lung cancer. Other risk factors for lung cancer include asbestos and radon exposure.

What this chart shows: Lung Cancer Incidence Rate (per 100,000) in Colorado & Larimer County, 1999-2008

*Age-Adjusted Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment- Colorado Central Cancer Registry

See data table

What the above data tell us:

 From 1999 through 2008, the overall trend in number of lung cancer diagnoses in Colorado and Larimer County has been gradually declining. In Larimer County, the ten-year incidence rate high was in 2003 at 53.7 incidents per 100,000. The highest number of diagnosed cases in the county was in 2004 (120).

What this chart shows: Lung Cancer Mortality Rate (per 100,000) in Colorado & Larimer County, 2001-2010

*Age-Adjusted Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment- Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What the above data tell us:

 From 2001 through 2010, deaths caused by lung cancer have been declining in Colorado and Larimer County. See the data table for crude rates and raw numbers. Both Colorado and Larimer County have consistently met the Healthy People 2010 Objective of 44.9 lung cancer deaths per 100,000.

Cigarette smoking is the main cause for lung cancer. According to the American Lung Association, smoking contributes to 80% of lung cancer deaths in women and 90% of lung cancer deaths in men. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke have a 20% to 30% great risk of developing lung cancer.

Radon is known to be the second leading cause of lung cancer across the nation. 'Radon gas can come up through the soil under a home or building and enter through gaps and cracks in the foundation or insulation, as well as through pipes, drains, walls or other openings (Facts About Lung Cancer).' For more information about radon gas, see U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What this chart shows: Lung Cancer Mortality Rate (per 100,000) by Gender in Larimer County, 2001-2010

*Age-Adjusted Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment- Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Between 2001 and 2010, men in Larimer County have had consistently higher mortality rates due to lung cancer than women with the exception of 2009. However, deaths caused by lung cancer are trending downwards for both men and women.

Nationally, men had a higher lung cancer mortality rate (73.4 per 100,000) compared with women (41.1 per 100,000) (American Lung Association - Lung Disease Data: 2008).

Additional Information:

Healthy People 2010 is a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative establishing national objectives to improve the health of all Americans, to eliminate disparities, and to increase the years and quality of life. New guidelines and objectives have been established for the next ten years, through 2020.

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Related Information on COMPASS -

Other Resources -

Standards or Targets:

Healthy People 2010:

Data Tables:

Lung Cancer Incidence Rate - Colorado & Larimer County

Rates per 100,000 (Age-Adjusted Rates)

Year

Colorado

Larimer County

Number of Diagnosed Cases

Age-Adjusted Rate

Number of Diagnosed Cases

Age-Adjusted Rate

1999

 1,766 51.9 81 41.4

2000

 1,885 53.5 93 46.4

2001

 2,018 56.2 93 45.3

2002

 2,067 56.5 106 50.5

2003

 2,043 54.2 118 53.7

2004

 1,998 51.3 120 52.9

2005

 1,991 49.7 119 49.7

2006

 2,030 49.4 95 39.0

2007

 2,199 51.9 106 40.8

2008

 2,263 51.9 118 43.4

See chart

Lung Cancer Mortality Rate - Colorado & Larimer County

Rates per 100,000 (Crude & Age-Adjusted Rates)

Year

Colorado

Larimer County

Number

Crude Rate

Age-Adjusted Rate

Number

Crude Rate

Age-Adjusted Rate

2001

 1,484 33.4 41.7 77 29.5 37.4

2002

 1,544 34.3 42.4 82 30.8 39.2

2003

 1,541 33.8 41.3 89 33.2 41.5

2004

 1,499 32.5 38.9 81 29.6 35.5

2005

 1,523 32.7 38.6 95 34.4 39.3

2006

 1,551 32.7 38.2 82 29.2 33.3

2007

 1,579 32.7 38.0 82 28.6 32.3

2008

 1,598 32.6 36.9 79 27.0 28.1

2009

 1,639 32.9 36.6 90 30.3 30.9

2010

 1,635 32.5 35.2 92 30.7 31.2

See chart

Lung Cancer Mortality Rate by Gender - Larimer County

Rates per 100,000 (Crude & Age-Adjusted Rates)

Year

Males

Female

Number

Crude Rate

Age-Adjusted Rate

Number

Crude Rate

Age-Adjusted Rate

2001

 43 33.0 48.7 34 26.0 29.5

2002

 43 32.4 48.3 39 29.3 32.8

2003

 51 38.1 55.6 38 28.3 30.6

2004

 39 28.6 40.3 42 30.6 32.9

2005

 51 37.1 50.4 44 31.8 33.3

2006

 42 30.1 40.3 40 28.3 28.8

2007

 44 30.9 39.8 38 26.3 26.9

2008

 41 28.3 32.6 38 25.8 24.7

2009

 38 25.8 30.9 52 34.7 32.2

2010

 53 35.7 43.3 39 25.8 23.1

See chart