Lung Cancer Awareness Month – November 2024

History of Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Cases of cancer have been recorded as early as 3000 B.C. in Egypt. During that time, Egyptians believed cancer was caused by the Gods. On the other hand, the Greeks believed cancer was caused by an excess of black bile in the body. Around 460–370 B.C., Hippocrates used the word ‘carcinos’ and ‘carcinoma’ to describe tumors.

It wasn’t until the 16th century that lung cancer was seen as a distinct disease. After further research, various characteristics of lung cancer were identified in 1810. However, during this time, lung cancer was still rare and was often spotted in miners. Between 1876–1938, around 60% to 80% of miners died from the disease and earned mines the nickname of “death pits”.

Up until 1878, lung cancer was still considered rare as it made up only 1% of all cancers. Unfortunately, this percentage rose to 10% in 1918 and further escalated to over 14% in 1927. This is because smoking had increased over the years but its adverse impact on the human body had not yet been detected. In 1929, German physician Fritz Lickint first recognized and highlighted the connection between smoking and lung cancer. Naturally, this lead to an anti-tobacco movement in Nazi Germany, which later trickled down into other parts of the world where cases of lung cancer were increasing. By the 1930s, an “unusual” increase in the disease was noted and researchers began assessing the role of smoking in lung cancer. A case-control study was published in 1940 in Germany where it was stated that “the extraordinary rise in tobacco use was the single most important cause of the rising incidence of lung cancer.”