Female lung cancer is on the rise in Europe, reveals Synovate Healthcare Global Tandem Oncology Monitor
30 November 2006
LONDON — Data from the European arm of the Synovate Healthcare Global Tandem Oncology Monitor (GTOM) reveals a rise in female lung cancer across Europe's five largest drug-treated oncology markets: the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In 2006 women now comprise almost 25% of lung cancer patients – this is up from 18% in 2001, representing a 7% growth in just five years.
The Synovate Healthcare data also reinforces the well-documented links between smoking and lung cancer: 84% of lung cancer patients in these markets are either current or ex-smokers, compared with an average of 33% for all other drug-treated cancers.
There are no significant differences by country in the percentage of lung cancer patients who either smoke or have smoked. Overall, this ranges from 81% in the UK to 86% in Spain. This trend remains consistent in males, with current and previous smokers comprising around 90% of lung cancer sufferers. However, cross-country variances appear to be more pronounced in women, with 76% of UK female lung cancer patients having smoked, versus 44% in Spain.
According to the most recent available data from the World Health Organisation's GLOBOCAN database, this trend corresponds with the percentage of newly diagnosed female patients in these two markets. Of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients, the UK has the highest female percentage in Europe (39%) versus Spain which has the lowest (10%). (source: The GLOBOCAN 2002 database).
Commented Leah Krukowski, Head of European Tandem Oncology Monitor, "It appears that higher incidence of female lung cancer corresponds to a higher percentage of female smokers in the female lung cancer patient population. We'll have to wait and see whether this trend continues over time."
Finally, the data also revealed that while 64% of smoking or ex-smoking lung cancer patients had smoked for 16 years or more, 19% developed lung cancer after having smoked for 5 years or less. This trend was seen in both men and women.
Please note sample sizes: 2001 Quarters 1-4 = 1857, 2005 Quarter 3 – 2006 Quarter 2 = 3924
The European Tandem Oncology Monitor is a prospective anonymous patient diary study run continuously in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, updated on a monthly basis.
Contact(s) for this press release
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Leah Krukowski
Head of European Tandem Oncology Monitor Telephone: +44 208 246 6200 |
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Telephone: +1 312 526 4570 |
Synovate Healthcare is the global specialist healthcare market research arm of Synovate, dedicated to delivering marketing insights to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Synovate Healthcare employs 500 healthcare market research professionals across Europe, US, Canada, Asia Pacific and Japan and offers global fieldwork capabilities.
More information on Synovate Healthcare can be found at www.synovate.com/healthcare.
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Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc, generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of research solutions. Synovate employs over 6,000 staff across 62 countries.
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