What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Women?

Lung cancer symptoms and risk factors are similar in women and men, but the rates differ.

According to the 2020 World Cancer Statistics, lung cancer remains the cancer that causes the most deaths in women and men; 18% of all cancer-related deaths are due to lung cancer.

According to US data, over the past 40 years, lung cancer rates have fallen by up to 35% in men, while rising by as much as 87% in women.

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What are the symptoms of lung cancer in women and men?

Women and men experience very similar symptoms of lung cancer.

The symptoms are as follows;

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Fatigue
• A persistent and worsening cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Persistent chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Recurrent lung infections; pneumonia or bronchitis

People experiencing these symptoms should consult a doctor.

Risk factors for lung cancer in women and men

Like the symptoms, the risk factors are similar in women and men.

• Smoking
• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• Exposure to asbestos or radon
• A family history of lung cancer
• A history of lung disease, including lung cancer
• An unhealthy diet

Smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke are the most important risk factors for lung cancer.

Genetic and hormonal differences between women and men

In Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, a published 2014 study suggested that certain genes and hormones increase the rate of lung cancer deaths in women.

Genetics

Researchers have identified several genes that may explain differences in lung cancer rates between women and men. A person can inherit some of these genes, while exposure to tobacco activates others.

KRAS:  

Any mutation in the KRAS gene can make cancerous tumours grow faster. A mutation here can also make tumours more likely to metastasize (spread). The review showed that KRAS mutations may make lung cancer growth more aggressive after exposure to the female sex hormone oestrogen together with other hormones.

Related Content: What Is a KRAS Mutation?

GRPR:

The review links gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) activity to cancer cell growth. This receptor is more active in women, and exposure to oestrogen may increase its effects.

EGFR:

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGFR) is a protein frequently found in people with lung cancer. Mutations in the gene that produces EGFR are significantly more common in women than in men.

HER2 is part of the EGFR gene groups found in most cases of adenocarcinoma. HER2 is associated with poorer survival rates among women with lung cancer.

Hormonal difference: Oestrogen

Long-term exposure to oestrogen may affect the risk of lung cancer. Factors that may affect oestrogen levels include;

• The number of pregnancies, if any
• Age at the first menstrual period
• Age at the onset of menopause

Researchers found oestrogen receptors on lung cancer cells obtained from women and men. The same 2014 review of genes and hormones in lung cancer development also showed that oestrogen promotes tumour cell growth. The review also demonstrated that the cancer-suppressing effects of treatments block oestrogen. 

Treatment of lung cancer in women and men

First of all, the appropriate treatment for lung cancer depends on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis.

• In early-stage lung cancer, surgery is the first treatment option that comes to mind. Some doctors may recommend subsequent chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy to support surgery and ensure that no cells remain.
• If lung cancer has spread considerably, surgery is usually not an option. At this stage, the doctor may recommend chemotherapy or immunotherapy to prolong life and improve quality of life.

Traditionally, there is no difference in how doctors treat lung cancer in women and men. However, research into the genetic and hormonal aspects of lung cancer has led to new treatments that may be more effective in women than in men. Drugs targeting the products of certain genetic changes (proteins and receptors) also appear to be more effective in treating women with lung cancer who do not smoke.

After lung cancer

Lung cancer is known as a disease with a poor prognosis (course of the illness). Although symptoms are similar in women and men, cancer rates and cancer-related deaths differ. More research is needed to reduce the risks of this disease.

In conclusion, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding all tobacco products helps reduce the risk of developing lung cancer for everyone.