Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which type of cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States?

1. Breast cancer

2. Lung cancer

3. Colon cancer

4. Heart disease

The correct answer is: Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. This is primarily due to the high mortality rate associated with lung cancer compared to other types, as well as late-stage diagnosis often being common in this disease. Despite advances in early detection and treatment for various cancers, lung cancer remains particularly lethal, partly because it is frequently diagnosed at a more advanced stage when treatment options can be more limited and less effective. While breast cancer is among the most diagnosed cancers in women and can lead to significant mortality, its death rate does not surpass that of lung cancer. Colon cancer also affects many women, but it does not hold the same position in mortality statistics compared to lung cancer. Heart disease, while a major health concern, is not a type of cancer and is distinct from the context of the question. Therefore, lung cancer's status as the most deadly cancer for women is attributed to its high incidence of late diagnoses and aggressive progression, leading to its distinction as a leading cause of cancer deaths.