Lung Cancer Incidence in the American Indian and Alaska Native Population, United States Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Areas—2012–2016

Lung Cancer Incidence in the American Indian and Alaska Native Population, United States Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Areas—2012–2016

U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Briefs, No. 14
November 2019

Alaska Natives and American Indians in the Northern and Southern Plains experience disproportionately higher lung cancer incidence rates compared to non-Hispanic whites.

View Printable Data Brief pdf icon[PDF-230KB]

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) men and women.

Most lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking, and prevalence of cigarette smoking among AI/AN varies by geographic region, which impacts geographic variation in lung cancer incidence rates.

Some other risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to secondhand smoke, asbestos, and naturally occurring radon gas in homes. An occupational history of uranium mining pdf icon[PDF-313KB]external icon is also a risk factor for lung cancer.

Differences by Age at Diagnosis

Lung cancer tends to be diagnosed at a younger age among AI/AN than among NHW. 23% of lung cancer cases among AI/AN were diagnosed before age 60 years compared with 16% among NHW.