Critical Illness Insurance Group Comments On Decline In Lung Cancer Rates

Sept. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- According to new research the decline represents the timeperiod between 1999 and 2008. Among women, lung cancer incidence decreased nationwide between 2006 and 2008, after increasing steadily for decades.

The decrease in lung cancer cases corresponds closely with smoking patterns across the nation according to the report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the West, where smoking prevalence is lower among men and women than in other regions, lung cancer incidence is decreasing faster the CDC noted.  Studies show declines in lung cancer rates can be seen as soon as five years after smoking rates decline.

"The report revealed that states spending funds on effective tobacco control strategies are seeing larger reductions in smoking," explains Jesse Slome, executive diorector of the Ameruican Association for Critical Illness Insurance, an industry trade group.  "The longer they invest, the greater the savings in smoking–related health care costs."

“Although lung cancer among men and women has decreased over the past few years,” said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “too many people continue to get sick and die from lung cancers, most of which are caused by smoking.  The more we invest in proven tobacco control efforts, the fewer people will die from lung cancer.”

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke cause most lung cancer deaths in the United States.

"Smokers pay significantly more for critical illness insurance because they are at far greater risk of getting cancer," according to Slome.  "But, without this protection many families will face bankruptcy as a result of uncovered medical and health expenses as well as lost wages while they undergo treatment."

From 1999 to 2008 lung cancer rates among men decreased in 35 states and remained stable in nine states.  
States with the lowest lung cancer incidence among men were clustered in the West.

After increasing for years, lung cancer rates among women decreased nationwide between 2006 and 2008.
Lung cancer rates decreased between 1999 and 2008 among women in California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.  

Lung cancer rates among women remained stable in 24 states, and increased slightly in 14 states (change could not be assessed in six states and the District of Columbia).
There were 1.5 million new cancer diagnosis  in the United States according to Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org which tracks health news related to cancer and heart disease.

Individuals interested in receiving a cost quote for critical illness insurance from a designated American Association for Critical Illness Insurance professional can complete the organization's free quote request form accessible at http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org/free-quote/ or by calling the Association's offices.

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The American Association for Critical Illness Insurance http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org is a national trade organization. Get info and costs at their Consumer Information Center: http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org/learning-center/