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The representative of the Philippine Cancer Society expressed worries over more and more raising lung cancer deaths among women.

Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer-related death for males, according to data presented by the PCS executive director, Rachel Rosario. She also added that while breast cancer among females is most predominant, the mortality rate for women caused by lung cancer is significant.

According to recent statistics realized by the PCS, 2,043 out of the 2,500 women wit lung cancer have died.

The higher mortality rate is related to the fact that more and more women are starting to smoke and unlike breast cancer, lung cancer can be detected only on the advanced stages, according to Rosario.

"Tobacco use is the most significant cause that has increased the cases of lung cancer. The present mortality rate is alarming because more than 80 % of women with lung cancer have died from this disease. The most frightening thing is that this dangerous habit affects not only the smoker, but those people who are around them. Second-hand smoke is also lethal, and according to a new research third-hand smoke is also a possible cause of lung cancer," she stated.

Lung cancer is the result of the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells don't perform the functions of normal cells and don't develop into healthy lung tissue. While these abnormal cells grow, they produce tumors and impede the function of the lung that is to provide oxygen to the body through the blood.

First-hand smoke is inhaled directly by the smoker, second-hand is the smoke exhaled and inhaled by others and third-hand smoke is the remainder from the second-hand smoke.

Tobacco remainder that lingers on surfaces can react with another chemical in the air thus forming drastic carcino-gens- chemicals related to various cancers, according to various studies on third-hand smoke and its effect. When someone smokes in an enclosed space, the scent lingers for a long period of time. This shows the presence of third-hand smoke. Nicotine has the property to persist on those indoor surfaces as floors, walls, drapes and other furniture for days, weeks and even months.

Despite the fact that smoking is the main cause of increasing cases of lung cancer among women, the disease is also detected in women who have never smoked. Researches suppose that such factors as genetic- how women's bodies react to carcinogen, hormones - as estrogen, environmental - exposure to second-hand smoke can contribute to the development of lung cancer in women who don't smoke.

Lung cancer was generally associated with man; unfortunately in present women know very little about this killing disease and that is why it is an alarming situation.