Staging Lung cancer is classified by cell type into non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer (15%). The three main subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer are adenocarcinoma (40%), squamous cell carcinoma (30%), and large cell carcinoma (15%). Treatment and prognosis vary depending on the type.1 Global prevalence Annual incidence of lung cancer (per 100,000 people) in 2012. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but about one in ten lung cancer patients never smoke.2 In the United States, the 5-year survival rate after a diagnosis of lung cancer is 17.8%. Years of life lost globally In China, the impact of lung cancer is climbing very fast due to the rapid rise in the number of smokers China: number of smokers The number of smokers, predominantly men, continues to rise in China, with tobacco estimated to cause around 3,000 deaths per day.3 One third of the world’s smokers are in China. UK: risk factors In 2014, the leading cause of lung cancer in the UK5 was smoking. South Africa: tobacco consumption Globally, high tobacco taxes result in lower smoking rates. In South Africa,6 since 1991, total retail prices have increased yearly and tobacco sales have declined significantly.