Paul Newman Dies of Lung Cancer

Paul Newman has died of lung cancer at the age of 83. Newman, who used to be a heavy smoker until 30 years ago, had been receiving treatment for lung cancer when he was last seen a few months ago in a wheelchair coming out of the Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York.

Newman's early film career was during a period when cigarette smoking in movies portrayed virility, sex appeal and sophistication. He once said he was amazed he had survived all that booze, smoking and car racing.

Experts say that although giving up smoking significantly reduces your chances of developing lung cancer, that risk rarely goes right down to that of somebody who has never smoked. Lung tissue, like brain tissue, cannot be replaced once it is gone or badly damaged. However, if you are a smoker and you do quit, your risk of developing lung cancer and other fatal diseases starts falling immediately.

Here are some facts about cancer and smoking in the USA:
(Source - The Lung Cancer Alliance)

-- More Americans die of cancer each year than any other type of cancer
-- One in every three cancer deaths is lung cancer
-- More US citizens die of lung cancer than the combined totals of breast, prostate, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers.
-- For every prostate cancer death there are three lung cancer deaths among US males
-- Twice as many American women die of lung cancer as breast cancer
-- Approximately 439 Americans die each day because they have lung cancer
-- 85% of lung cancer diagnoses are among people who smoke or used to smoke
-- Currently only 16% of lung cancer diagnoses are at the earliest stage
-- Only lung cancers that are diagnosed at their earliest stage have a chance of a cure

5-Year survival rates for 4 different cancers (USA)
(Source - The Lung Cancer Alliance)

Breast Cancer
1974-1976 - 75%
1996-2004 - 87%
Prostate Cancer
1974-1976 - 67%
1996-2004 - 99%
Colon Cancer
1974-1976 - 50%
1996-2004 - 64%
Lung Cancer
1974-1976 - 13%
1996-2004 - 15%

Research spending dollars per death - 2007 (USA)
(Source - The Lung Cancer Alliance)

Breast Cancer - $23,754
Prostate Cancer - $11,959
Colon Cancer - $5,500
Lung Cancer - $1,414

Total Research Funding from NCI, CDC and DOD (2007):
(Source - The Lung Cancer Alliance)

Breast: $971.8 million
Prostate: $323.5 million
Colon: $287 million
Lung: $226.9 million

The UK Department of Health will have images at the back of cigarette packets as of 1st October 2008 with the following messages:

1. Smokers die younger
2. Smoking clogs the arteries and causes heart attacks and strokes
3. Smoking causes fatal lung cancer
4. Smoking is highly addictive, don't start
5. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases
6. Smoking can cause a slow and painful death
7. Smoking causes ageing of the skin
8. Smoking can damage the sperm and decreases fertility
9. Smoking may reduce the blood flow and cause impotence
10. Smoking contains benzene, nitrosamines, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide
11. Smoking when pregnant harms your baby
12. Protect children, don't make them breathe your smoke
13. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you stop smoking
14. Get help to stop smoking
15. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you stop smoking