As part of this study, the team of investigators led by Dr Juan Carlos Martín analysed data on breast and lung cancer deaths in women from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Mortality Database from between 2008 and 2014. To be included in this study, the countries must have provided data for at least four years between 2008 and 2014 and have a population greater than one million people. Fifty-two countries met these requirements: 29 in Europe, 14 in North and South America, seven in Asia and two in Oceania. 

 

“Despite the major strides we have made in reducing breast cancer deaths globally, lung cancer deaths in women are still rising throughout the world”, remarks Dr José María Martínez, head of the Group of Evaluation of Health Determinants and Health Policies at UIC Barcelona. “If we do not implement measures to reduce tobacco use among members of this population, lung cancer deaths will continue to increase worldwide”.

 

The results of the study predict that lung cancer deaths in women will rise globally by 43% between 2015 and 2030. On the other hand, breast cancer deaths are expected to decrease by 9% over the same period.

 

This research is particularly important because it is one of the few studies that have estimated trends of lung and breast cancer deaths in women on a global scale. The conclusions presented provide evidence that will help health professionals and legislators make decisions concerning global strategies for reducing the social, economic and health impact of lung cancer in women in the future.