The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Lung cancer (LC) is the most frequent type of cancer in the world in males. Despite of therapeutic possibilities, it accounts for cause of one third of all deaths due to malignant diseases. TS is considered major risk factor in its pathogenesis. Serbia and Montenegro ranks to first several European countries by tobacco use of its inhabitants. Aim of the study was to analyze incidence rate (IR) and trends of LC in Serbia in a 10-year period with special regard to patients' TS status.

Methods: Referral institution's annual collective data on newly diagnosed cases of LC, categorized by sex and TS status (smokers, ex-smokers and non smokers) have been analyzed in period from 1995 to 2004.

Results: LC IR achieved 34/100,000 population at the end of analyzed period (RR:0.285). Significant differences among districts were found (6.1--38/100,000 population, range). Smokers, ex smokers, and non smokers account for 71%, 17% and 14%, respectively. Male/female ratio was strongly influenced by Pts' TS status. LC in females is of increasing trend even in nonsmokers.There is a need of urgent increasing of people's awareness on tobacco smoke harmful effects on human health and enforcement of health care workers' education in the field of smoking cessation methods and primary prevention of TS.