BACKGROUND: The smoking prevalence in Norway has evolved differently in men and women. This article examines to what extent this difference is reflected in the lung cancer mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on lung cancer deaths and mean population have been taken from official publications from Statistics Norway and grouped in five-year intervals from 1951-55 until 1991-95 and the two-year period 1996-97. Age-adjustments have been made by the direct method against the world standard population. RESULTS: Lung cancer mortality in men peaked in 1991-95, whereas in women it is strongly increasing. In the age group 30-49 years, the mortality in 1996-97 was higher in women than in men, and it is as high as it has ever been in men. If age-specific mortality today had been the same as it was 40 years ago, there would be 81% fewer deaths from lung cancer per year. INTERPRETATION: Women are now paying the price for their smoking habits. This study suggests that smoking is a stronger risk factor for lung cancer in women than in men.
BACKGROUND: The smoking prevalence in Norway has evolved differently in men and women. This article examines to what extent this difference is reflected in the lung cancer mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on lung cancer deaths and mean population have been taken from official publications from Statistics Norway and grouped in five-year intervals from 1951-55 until 1991-95 and the two-year period 1996-97. Age-adjustments have been made by the direct method against the world standard population. RESULTS:Lung cancer mortality in men peaked in 1991-95, whereas in women it is strongly increasing. In the age group 30-49 years, the mortality in 1996-97 was higher in women than in men, and it is as high as it has ever been in men. If age-specific mortality today had been the same as it was 40 years ago, there would be 81% fewer deaths from lung cancer per year. INTERPRETATION:Women are now paying the price for their smoking habits. This study suggests that smoking is a stronger risk factor for lung cancer in women than in men.