Lung cancer incidence statistics

Cases

New cases of lung cancer, 2014-2016 average, UK

 

Proportion of all cases

Percentage lung cancer is of total cancer cases, 2014-2016 average, UK

 

Age

Peak rate of lung cancer cases, 2014-2016, UK

 

Trend over time

Lung cancer incidence rates have changed differently for each sex since the early 1990s, UK

 

Lung cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 13% of all new cancer cases (2016).[1-4]

In females in the UK it is the 2nd most common cancer (13% of all new female cancer cases). In males in the UK, lung cancer is the 2nd most common cancer (14% of all new male cancer cases).

47% of lung cancer cases in the UK are in females, and 53% are in males.

Lung cancer incidence rates (European age-standardised (AS) rates Open a glossary item) for persons are significantly higher than the UK average in Scotland and Northern Ireland, significantly lower than the UK average in England, and similar to the UK average in Wales.

Lung Cancer (C33-C34), Number of New Cases, Crude and European Age-Standardised (AS) Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population, UK, 2016

  England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland UK
Female Cases 17,821 2,586 1,237 698 22,342
Crude Rate 63.7 93.1 78.3 73.7 67.2
AS Rate 65.5 91.0 72.1 81.8 68.5
AS Rate - 95% LCL 64.6 87.5 68.1 75.7 67.6
AS Rate - 95% UCL 66.5 94.5 76.2 87.9 69.4
Male Cases 20,560 2,526 1,307 653 25,046
Crude Rate 75.3 96.1 85.2 71.3 77.4
AS Rate 89.8 111.0 90.2 93.4 91.7
AS Rate - 95% LCL 88.6 106.7 85.3 86.2 90.5
AS Rate - 95% UCL 91.0 115.4 95.1 100.5 92.8
Persons Cases 38,381 5,112 2,544 1,351 47,388
Crude Rate 69.4 94.6 81.7 72.6 72.2
AS Rate 76.1 99.3 79.8 86.4 78.5
AS Rate - 95% LCL 75.3 96.5 76.7 81.8 77.8
AS Rate - 95% UCL 76.8 102.0 82.9 91.0 79.2

95% LCL and 95% UCL are the 95% lower and upper confidence limits Open a glossary item  around the AS Rate Open a glossary item
 

For lung cancer, like most cancer types, differences between countries largely reflect risk factor prevalence in years past.

See also

Lung mortality statistics by sex and UK country

Cancer incidence for common cancers in the UK

References

  1. Data were provided by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (part of Public Health England), on request through the Office for Data Release, August 2018. Similar data can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/previousReleases
  2. Data were provided by ISD Scotland on request, April 2018. Similar data can be found here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications.
  3. Data were provided by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Health Intelligence Division, Public Health Wales on request, February 2019. Similar data can be found here: http://www.wcisu.wales.nhs.uk.
  4. Data were provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry on request, April 2018. Similar data can be found here: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

About this data

Data is for UK, 2016, ICD-10 C33-C34.

Last reviewed:

Lung cancer incidence is strongly related to age, with the highest incidence rates being in older people. In the UK in 2014-2016, on average each year more than 4 in 10 (44%) new cases were in people aged 75 and over.[1-4]

Age-specific incidence rates rise steeply from around age 45-49 and drop in the oldest age group. The highest rates are in the 80 to 84 age group for females and the 85 to 89 age group for males.

Incidence rates are significantly lower in females than males in a number of (mainly older) age groups. The gap is widest at age 90+, when the age-specific incidence rate is 2.1 times lower in females than males.

Lung Cancer (C33-C34), Average Number of New Cases per Year and Age-Specific Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population, UK, 2014-2016

95% LCL and 95% UCL are the 95% lower and upper confidence limits Open a glossary item around the AS Rate Open a glossary item
 

For lung cancer, like most cancer types, incidence increases with age. This largely reflects cell DNA damage accumulating over time. Damage can result from biological processes or from exposure to risk factors. A drop or plateau in incidence in the oldest age groups often indicates reduced diagnostic activity perhaps due to general ill health.

See also

Lung cancer mortality statistics by age

Lung cancer survival statistics by age

Cancer incidence statistics by age for all cancers

References

  1. Data were provided by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (part of Public Health England), on request through the Office for Data Release, August 2018. Similar data can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/previousReleases
  2. Data were provided by ISD Scotland on request, April 2018. Similar data can be found here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications.
  3. Data were provided by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Health Intelligence Division, Public Health Wales on request, February 2019. Similar data can be found here: http://www.wcisu.wales.nhs.uk.
  4. Data were provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry on request, April 2018. Similar data can be found here: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

About this data

Data is for UK, 2014-2016, ICD-10 C33-C34.

Last reviewed:

Lung cancer incidence rates have increased overall in most broad adult age groups in females in the UK since the early 1990s, but have decreased in some.[1-4] Rates in 25-49s have decreased by 13%, in 50-59s have increased by 10%, in 60-69s have increased by 13%, in 70-79s have increased by 31%, and in 80+s have increased by 80%.

Lung Cancer (ICD-10 C33-C34), European Age-Standardised Incidence Rates, By Age, Females, UK, 1993-2016

Lung cancer incidence rates have decreased overall in all broad adult age groups in males in the UK since the early 1990s.[1-4] Rates in 25-49s have decreased by 36%, in 50-59s have decreased by 43%, in 60-69s have decreased by 38%, in 70-79s have decreased by 31%, and in 80+s have decreased by 21%.

Lung Cancer (ICD-10 C33-C34), European Age-Standardised Incidence Rates, By Age, Males, UK, 1993-2016

For lung cancer, like most cancer types, incidence trends largely reflect changing prevalence of risk factors and improvements in diagnosis and data recording. Recent incidence trends are influenced by risk factor prevalence in years past, and trends by age group reflect risk factor exposure in birth cohorts.

Lung Cancer (C33-C34) European Age-Standardised Incidence Rates and Smoking Prevalence, Great Britain, 1948-2016

See also

Lung cancer mortality trends over time

Lung cancer survival trends over time

Lung cancer risk factors

Cancer incidence statistics for common cancers in the UK

References

  1. Data were provided by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (part of Public Health England), on request through the Office for Data Release, August 2018. Similar data can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/previousReleases
  2. Data were provided by ISD Scotland on request, April 2018. Similar data can be found here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications.
  3. Data were provided by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Health Intelligence Division, Public Health Wales on request, February 2019. Similar data can be found here: http://www.wcisu.wales.nhs.uk.
  4. Data were provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry on request, April 2018. Similar data can be found here: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

 

About this data

Data is for UK, 1993-2016, ICD-10 C33-C34.

Last reviewed:

Overall stage at diagnosis

A high proportion (85-95%) of lung cancer cases in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have stage at diagnosis recorded.[1-3]

Lung cancer patients with a known stage are most commonly diagnosed at stage IV (49-53%). More people with a known stage are diagnosed at a late stage (72-76% are diagnosed at stage III or IV), than an early stage (24-28% are diagnosed at stage I or II).[1-3]

The stage distribution for each cancer type will reflect many factors including how the cancer type develops, the way symptoms appear, public awareness of symptoms, how quickly a person goes to see their doctor and how quickly the cancer is recognised and diagnosed by a doctor. It might also relate to whether a national screening programme that can detect early stage disease exists for that cancer type, along with the extent of uptake of that programme.

A cancer type associated with a large proportion of early stage diagnoses could be one that is more likely to be symptomatic at an earlier stage of development, with recognisable symptoms rather than more generic ones.

Lung Cancer (C33-C34), Proportion of Cases Diagnosed at Each Stage, All Ages, England 2014, Scotland 2014-2015 and Northern Ireland 2010-2014

Data should not be compared between countries due to differences in time periods and possible differences in recording of stage at diagnosis.
 

Stage at diagnosis by deprivation

Late stage at diagnosis of lung cancer is not associated with deprivation in England.[4]

Stage at diagnosis by age

Late stage at diagnosis of lung cancer is more common in younger adults (aged 15-59) in England (81% diagnosed at stage III or IV) compared to older adults aged 80+ (77% diagnosed at stage III or IV) and adults aged 60-79 (76% diagnosed at stage III or IV).[4]

There are no differences between late stage at diagnosis for lung cancer between those aged 60-79 and 80+ in England.[4]

Stage at diagnosis by sex

Late stage at diagnosis of lung is associated with male sex in England. Among adults aged 15-99 in England, 78% of males are diagnosed at stage III or IV, versus 75% of females.[4]

These patterns by deprivation, age and sex are probably not explained  by other demographic differences.[5]

Stage at diagnosis by Ethnicity

Late stage at diagnosis for lung cancer in England is more common in Asian-Pakistani adults (75% diagnosed at stage III or IV) and Black Caribbean adults (71% diagnosed at stage III or IV), compared to White British adults (66% diagnosed at stage III or IV) after adjusting for age, sex and deprivation status.[6]

Late stage at diagnosis for lung cancer in England is less common in Asian-Indian adults (61% diagnosed at stage III or IV), compared to White British adults (75% diagnosed at stage III or IV) after adjusting for age, sex and deprivation status.[6]

See also

View our patient information on staging for lung cancer

Lung cancer survival by stage at diagnosis

Implications of staging data

More about incidence by stage data collection and quality

Routes to diagnosis

Deprivation gradient in lung cancer incidence

References

  1. National Cancer Intelligence Network. Stage Breakdown by CCG 2014. London: NCIN; 2016.
  2. ISD Scotland, Detect Cancer Early Staging Data. Scotland: ISD; 2016.
  3. Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queens University Belfast, Incidence by stage 2010-2014. Belfast: NICR; 2016.
  4. National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service. Routes to diagnosis of cancer by stage 2012-2013 workbook. London: NCRAS; 2016.
  5. Lyratzopoulos G, Abel G, Brown C, et al. Socio-demographic inequalities in stage of cancer diagnosis: evidence from patients with female breast, lung, colon, rectal, prostate, renal, bladder, melanoma, ovarian and endometrial cancer. Annals of Oncology, 2012:843-50.
  6. National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service. Ethnicity and stage at diagnosis. London: NCRAS; 2016

About this data

Data is for: England 2014 ICD-10 C34, Scotland 2014-2015 and Northern Ireland 2010-2014, ICD-10 C33-C34 (overall stage at diagnosis) and England, 2012-2013, ICD-10 C33-C34 (stage at diagnosis by deprivation, age, sex, and ethnicity)

Data is not comparable between countries due to differences in time periods and possible differences in how countries record stage at diagnosis.

The proportions of patients diagnosed late only include cases with a known stage at diagnosis and are not adjusted for other demographics differences (e.g. age, sex, ethnicity) unless stated otherwise

Last reviewed:

10-15% of lung cancer cases are classified as small cell lung cancer (SCLC).[1] The remaining cases are classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are different types of NSCLC, including squamous cell carcinoma Open a glossary item and  adenocarcinoma Open a glossary item.

See also

Find out more about the counting and coding of this data

Cancer incidence statistics for common cancers in the UK

References

  1. Royal College of Physicians. National Lung Cancer Audit annual report 2015 (for the audit period 2014). London; 2015: Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.

About this data

See source for ICD codes and other data specifics.

Last reviewed:

Lung cancer incidence rates are projected to fall by 7% in the UK between 2014 and 2035, to 88 cases per 100,000 people by 2035.[1] This includes a larger decrease for males than for females.

For males, lung cancer European age standardised (AS) incidence rates in the UK are projected to fall by 14% between 2014 and 2035, to 97 cases per 100,000 by 2035.[1] For females, rates are projected to fall by less than 1% between 2014 and 2035, to 80 cases per 100,000 by 2035.[1]

Lung cancer (C33-C34), Observed and Projected Age-Standardised Incidence Rates, by Sex, UK, 1979-2035

Download the data table (xls)

It is projected that 62,832 cases of lung cancer (32,875 in males, 29,957 in females) will be diagnosed in the UK in 2035.

See also

Find out how these projections were calculated

Incidence trends over time for lung cancer

Projections of incidence for all cancers combined

Lung cancer risk

Download the projections data table

References

  1. Smittenaar CR, Petersen KA, Stewart K, Moitt N. Cancer Incidence and Mortality Projections in the UK Until 2035. Brit J Cancer 2016.

About this data

Data is for: UK, 1979-2014 (observed), 2015-2035 (projected), ICD-10 C33-C34

Projections are based on observed incidence and mortality rates and therefore implicitly include changes in cancer risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. It is not possible to assess the statistical significance of changes between 2014 (observed) and 2035 (projected) figures. Confidence intervals are not calculated for the projected figures. Projections are by their nature uncertain because unexpected events in future could change the trend. It is not sensible to calculate a boundary of uncertainty around these already uncertain point estimates. Changes are described as 'increase' or 'decrease' if there is any difference between the point estimates.

More on projections methodology

Last reviewed:

There is evidence for a strong association between lung cancer incidence and deprivation for both males and females in England.[1] England-wide data for 2006-2010 show European age-standardised Open a glossary item rates are 166% higher for males living in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived, and 173% higher for females.[1]

Lung Cancer (C33-C34), European Age-Standardised Incidence Rates by Deprivation Quintile, England, 2006-2010

The estimated deprivation gradient in lung cancer incidence between people living in the most and least deprived areas in England has not changed in the period 1996-2010. It has been estimated that there would have been around 11,700 fewer lung cancer cases each year in England during 2006-2010 if all people experienced the same incidence rates as the least deprived.[1]

See also

Find out more about the counting and coding of this data

Deprivation gradient for cancer incidence

Deprivation gradient in lung cancer mortality

Socio-economic variation in cancer incidence for Scotland

Socio-economic variation in cancer incidence for Wales

Socio-economic variation in cancer incidence for Northern Ireland

References

  1. Cancer Research UK and National Cancer Intelligence Network. Cancer by deprivation in England: Incidence, 1996-2010, Mortality, 1997-2011. London: NCIN; 2014.

About this data

Data is for England, 2006-2010, ICD-10 C33-C34.

Deprivation gradient statistics were calculated using incidence data for 2006-2010. The deprivation quintiles were calculated using the Income domain scores from the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) from the following years: 2004, 2007 and 2010. Full details on the data and methodology can be found in the Cancer by Deprivation in England NCIN report.

Last reviewed:

Age-standardised Open a glossary item rates for White males with lung cancer range from 61.1 to 62.6 per 100,000. Rates for Asian males are significantly lower, ranging from 23.1 to 37.2 per 100,000 and the rates for Black males are also significantly lower, ranging from 30.1 to 48.9 per 100,000. For females there is a similar pattern - the age-standardised rates for White females range from 35.2 to 36.0 per 100,000, while rates for Asian and Black females are also significantly lower ranging from 6.9 to 12.4 per 100,000 and 8.5 to 15.1 per 100,000 respectively.[1]

Ranges are given because of the analysis methodology used to account for missing and unknown data. For lung cancer, 155,679 cases were identified; 23% had no known ethnicity.

See also

Find out more about the counting and coding of this data

Cancer incidence statistics by ethnicity

References

  1. National Cancer Intelligence Network and Cancer Research UK. Cancer Incidence and Survival by Major Ethnic Group, England, 2002-2006. 2009.

About this data

Data is for England, 2002-2006, ICD-10 C33-C34.

Last reviewed:

Cancer stats explained

See information and explanations on terminology used for statistics and reporting of cancer, and the methods used to calculate some of our statistics.

Cancer stats explained

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