Why Is This Important?

In New Jersey, 2,701 men and 2,987 women were diagnosed with cancer of the lung and bronchus during 2021. Lung cancer causes the most cancer deaths among New Jersey residents - 1,570 among men and 1,513 among women in 2021. Cigarette smoking is believed to be responsible for almost 90% of all lung cancer cases. Other risk factors include second-hand smoke, residential radon exposure, high doses of ionizing radiation such as might be received from therapeutic radiation treatment, and certain occupational exposures. Air pollution, specifically particulates from burning fossil fuel, is also a risk factor for lung cancer.

Definition

Incidence rate of invasive lung and bronchus cancer for a defined population in a specified time interval. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. Rates are per 100,000 population.

Data Sources

• SEER*Stat, National Center Institute
  (https://www.seer.cancer.gov/seerstat)
• Bridged-race population estimates, National Cancer Institute
  (https://seer.cancer.gov/popdata/)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

Between 1990 and 2021, the age-adjusted incidence rate of lung and bronchus cancer in New Jersey men declined from about 107 cases per 100,000 to about 50 cases per 100,000. Among NJ woman in the lung and bronchus age-adjusted cancer incidence rate increased and then decreased slightly averaging 52.8 cases per 100,000 for the same time period, 1990-2021. Past smoking patterns among men and women are the main cause for these trends. The percentage of women who smoke began decreasing rapidly in the mid-1980's, while the percentage of men who smoke began decreasing rapidly much earlier (before 1965). The lifetime risk of developing lung and bronchus cancer is 1 in 16 for men and 1 in 17 for women.

What Is Being Done?

A Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was developed by the Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment in New Jersey which aims to reduce the incidence, illness and death due to cancer among New Jersey residents. [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/occp.shtml]

Available Services

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has many programs and partnerships related to cancer data and information, cancer resources and cancer prevention. Cancer Epidemiology Services: [https://nj.gov/health/ces/] Interactive New Jersey cancer incidence and mortality data, as well as numerous publications, are available through the NJDOH website for cancer statistics and mapping. [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/cancer-researchers/cancer-data/index.shtml] Office of Cancer Control and Prevention: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/occp.shtml] NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED): [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/njceed.shtml] NJ Commission on Cancer Research: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/cancer-researchers/njccr.shtml]

Health Program Information

Two fact sheets on lung cancer and its risk factors are available from the NJDOH: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/documents/caradonsmoking.pdf] [https://www.state.nj.us/health/ces/documents/briefs/lungcancer.pdf]