A recent report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians shed some revealing light on cancer statistics across the globe, including the most commonly diagnosed types of cancers and their mortality rates across genders. According to the report, compiled by researchers employed by the American Cancer Society, lung cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and the one with the highest mortality rate overall, particularly among men but also among women, worldwide.

Using the GLOBOCAN 2018 estimates of cancer incidence and mortality produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the researchers found that there were an estimated 18.1 million new cancer cases (17.0 million excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 9.6 million cancer deaths (9.5 million excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) in 2018. Across both sexes, instances of lung cancer accounted for 11.6% of the total cases and the leading cause of cancer death at 18.4% of the total cancer deaths.

Those mortality rates were closely followed by female breast cancer (11.6%), prostate cancer (7.1%), and colorectal cancer (6.1%) for incidence and colorectal cancer (9.2%), stomach cancer (8.2%), and liver cancer (8.2%) for mortality rate. The most common type of cancer and the one which has the highest mortality rate among men is lung cancer, followed by prostate cancer and colorectal cancer for incidence and liver and stomach cancer for mortality. Lung cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer among women and the second highest in mortality.

Serious forms of cancer that effect the lungs are asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare disease caused by asbestos exposure that causes tumors to grow in the thin tissue lining of vital organs like the heart, lungs, and abdomen. Although research continues to make strides in treating mesothelioma, there is not definitive cure for the disease, and it will eventually take the lives of patients. The report shows that in 2018, over 30,000 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed and over 25,000 deaths were attributed to the disease.

Despite companies knowing about the health risks, asbestos was once commonly used in a variety of industrial, military, and commercial applications before being effectively regulated out of use by the federal government in the 1970s. Even today, thousands of people continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. In recent years, thousands of men and women have filed lawsuits against cosmetics companies for mesothelioma diagnoses caused by asbestos exposure from popular talcum powder products including Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower.

Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyer If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.