[Lung cancer mortality--now higher in women than in men under 50 years]

The smoking prevalence in Norway has evolved differently in men and women. This article examines to what extent this difference is reflected in the lung cancer mortality.

Data on lung cancer deaths and mean population have been taken from official publications from Statistics Norway and grouped in five-year intervals from 1951-55 until 1991-95 and the two-year period 1996-97. Age-adjustments have been made by the direct method against the world standard population.

Lung cancer mortality in men peaked in 1991-95, whereas in women it is strongly increasing. In the age group 30-49 years, the mortality in 1996-97 was higher in women than in men, and it is as high as it has ever been in men. If age-specific mortality today had been the same as it was 40 years ago, there would be 81% fewer deaths from lung cancer per year.

Women are now paying the price for their smoking habits. This study suggests that smoking is a stronger risk factor for lung cancer in women than in men.