Lung Cancer Overview

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the U.S.1

Every 4 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies of lung cancer.2

The Significant Unmet Need

LIFETIME DIAGNOSIS RATE

Currently, 1 in 16 people in the U.S. can expect
to receive a lung cancer diagnosis.2,3

LUNG CANCER MORTALITY RATE

Lung cancer kills almost three times as many
women as breast cancer, and almost three times
as many men as prostate cancer.3

NO. 1 CANCER KILLER AMONG WOMEN

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer among women in the U.S.2

RATE INCREASE IN WOMEN

During the past 39 years, the lung cancer death rate has fallen 29% among men while increasing 102% among women.2

DEATHS NATIONWIDE

An estimated 124,730 lung cancer deaths are expected to occur in 2025
in the U.S., accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths nationwide.4,5

DEATHS WORLDWIDE

An estimated 1,817,469 lung cancer deaths occurred in 2022 globally, which accounts for about 19% of all cancer deaths worldwide.6

DEATHS PER DAY

Lung cancer kills 356 people each day in the U.S.2

DIAGNOSIS PER DAY

An estimated 234,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2025 with a new diagnosis every 2.2 minutes.1

ANYONE WITH LUNGS CAN GET LUNG CANCER

In the U.S, people who never smoke account for approximately 20% of lung cancer diagnoses each year. An estimated 46,000 non-smokers will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2025.3

EARLY DIAGNOSIS SURVIVAL RATE

If lung cancer is caught early, before it spreads to the lymph nodes and other organs, the likelihood of surviving 5 years or more improves to 60%.2

LUNG CANCER CARE

Only 6% of federal government dollars spent on cancer research was spent on lung cancer research.

Where NSCLC & SCLC Begin7

Forms of Lung Cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)5,8

  • Accounts for about 80% to 85% of all lung cancer cases​
  • Larger-sized cells that are typically slower-growing​
  • Most common types​
    • Adenocarcinoma (Approx. 40% of NSCLC)
    • Squamous cell carcinoma (Approx. 30% of NSCLC)
    • Large cell carcinoma (10-15% of NSCLC)
  • Less aggressive vs. SCLC​
  • Diagnosed at a later stage
  • (Only 25% diagnosed at stage 1 or 2)

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) 8,9

  • Accounts for about 10% to 20% of all lung cancer cases
  • Smaller-sized cells that grow and spread quickly
  • Starts in the airways (bronchi)
  • Poorer prognosis compared to NSCLC, regardless of stage ​
    • The 5-year survival rate in the U.S. is 5-10%
    • Around 70% of people with SCLC are diagnosed after the cancer has spread outside the lung

Lung Cancer Risk Factors10

  • Smoking
  • Exposure to second-hand smoke
  • Previous radiation therapy
  • Exposure to radon gas
  • Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens
  • A family history of lung cancer

For all inquiries please contact: medinfo@smmttx.com

References
  1. Lung Cancer Statistics. LUNGevity (2025). Accessed June 24, 2025
  2. Lung Cancer Facts You Should Know. Lung Cancer Foundation of America (2025). Accessed June 24, 2025
  3. Lung Cancer Facts 2025. Lung Cancer Research Foundation (2025). Accessed June 24, 2025
  4. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. National Cancer Institute (2025). Accessed June 24, 2025
  5. Key Statistics for Lung Cancer. American Cancer Society (2025). Accessed June 24, 2025
  6. Global Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in 2022, World Health Organization (2022). Accessed June 24, 2025
  7. Abe Y, Tanaka N. The Hedgehog Signaling Networks in Lung Cancer: The Mechanisms and Roles in Tumor Progression and Implications for Cancer Therapy. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:7969286.
  8. National Foundation for Cancer Research. Small Cell Lung Cancer vs. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: What’s the Difference? (2020) Accessed June 24, 2025
  9. Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment – National Cancer Institute (2025). Accessed June 24, 2025
  10. Lung cancer: Risk factors. Mayo Clinic (2024). Accessed June 24, 2025