Lung Cancer Rates Dip as Smoking Declines

Lung cancer rates are dropping, and the decrease is most noticeable in western states, where smoking rates are lower, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between 1999 and 2008, the rate of new lung cancer cases in the United States decreased among men in 35 states, and among women in six states. After increasing for many years, lung cancer rates in women dropped nationwide between 2006 and 2008.

According to Reuters, research indicates reductions in lung cancer rates can be seen as soon as five years after smoking rates decrease.

The CDC found states that invest more money in effective tobacco control strategies see greater drops in smoking. The longer they make those investments, the greater the states’ savings in smoking-related healthcare costs. The report notes these strategies include higher prices for tobacco, media campaigns, smoke-free policies and easy accessibility to smoking cessation services.