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Lung cancer at a glance

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK and each year more than 38,000 people are diagnosed with the disease.

Smoking causes around nine out of ten cases of lung cancer.The longer a person smokes, the greater their risk of getting the disease. Quitting smoking dramatically reduces the risk of lung cancer.

Cancer Research UK is one of the major funders of lung cancer research in the UK, working to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. We also influence government policy on tobacco and health with the aim of preventing lung cancer and other life-threatening diseases. We played a key role in helping to secure smoke-free legislation for workplaces and enclosed public places across the UK.

To find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of lung cancer, please visit CancerHelp UK.

To read more about Cancer Research UK’s research into lung cancer, visit our Research Highlights.