Estrogen's Impact on Lung Cancer in Women

What should you know about lung cancer in women?
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Smoking is the number-one cause of lung cancer, but 20% of women who suffer from the disease have never smoked.

Estrogen may play a role in the development and progression of lung cancer. Further research is being done on this connection. There may be a higher risk of developing lung cancer if the ovaries are surgically removed before menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progesterone) after menopause may increase the risk of dying from lung cancer, but the use of estrogen therapy alone is associated with a lower risk of dying from lung cancer.

Curiously, use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy with the ovaries intact are associated with a lower risk of developing lung cancer. It seems that estrogen plays more than one role in the disease.

National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, Harold Wimmer, discusses what you should know about lung cancer in women.

Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 4
  • Audio File: health_radio/1607ml4d.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Harold P. Wimmer, National President & CEO of the American Lung Association
  • Guest Facebook Account: www.facebook.com/lungusa
  • Guest Twitter Account: @LungAssociation
  • Guest Bio: Harold WimmerHarold P. Wimmer is National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease—including lung cancer, asthma, COPD and influenza. His leadership was essential to shaping a nationwide culture based on "Mission First" results, and has been a driving force in the launch of the Association's new LUNG FORCE initiative aimed at building awareness and funding support for lung cancer in women.

  • Length (mins): 10
  • Waiver Received: No
  • Host: Melanie Cole, MS