Introduction

In recent years a downward trend in incidence of lung cancer (LC) in males and a tendency to increase in females have been observed. 

Aims

The purpose of the study was to analyze the data on women suffering from LC, with particular emphasis on their sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

In this part of our project we selected women with confirmed primary LC (n = 45), patients of the oncology clinic. Information about sociodemographic history was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire and supplemented by a physician with clinical data.

Results

The median age of women with LC was 66 years. The most frequent LC was ADC (49%), followed by SCC (29%) and SCLC (11%). EGFR mutations were present in 9 cases and ALK rearrangement in 2 cases. When evaluating the TNM classification, the highest number of patients was classified as stage IV (54%). The majority of women were smokers (84%) with a median of 20 pack years. Only 16% of women have never smoked cigarets; however, passive exposure to tobacco smoke reported 67% of women. Cases of LC among parents or siblings have been reported in 18% of cases. All women with a positive family history of LC have smoked anyway. In terms of education, secondary and higher education reached the same percentage. The vast majority of non-smokers had higher education (85%). COPD as a comorbidity has occurred in 22%. 27% of the women expressed a willingness to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist due to LC and only half of them had such consultation.

Conclusions 

Smoking remains a very important problem among women with lung cancer. Antismoking campaigns should target target people with a lower education. We should also take care of the psychological support.