The #2 Leading Cause of Death in America Colon cancer and lung cancer are the top two killer cancers in America. Heart disease itself is the #1 killer in America followed by cancer. Lung cancer is the first deadliest cancer. Lung cancer is the most deadly than prostate, breast, and colon cancer put together. Lung cancer is an uncontrollable growth of cells that start off in one or both lungs. As tumors become larger and they start to multiply, they complicate the lung’s job, which is toprovide the bloodstream with the proper amount of oxygen that your body needs. Lung cancer is very deadly, as it kills more than 1,370,000 people a year. Some causes are as indicated: smoking, air pollution, radon gas, prior history of lung cancer, and finally asbestos fibers. The difference between lung cancer and colon cancer is that lung cancer is caused by smoking, and air pollution. Family genes, your diet, (eating habits), and family history of the disease cause Colon cancer. If more than one family member has had the disease, they are at an even greater risk. Aside from lung cancer, colon cancer is just as deadly. Colorectal cancer, which is commonly known as colon cancer, is the second cause of cancer related deaths in women and men. Colon cancer is a type of cancer that forms inside of the cells lining, the inside of the colon, or the rectum. Over time, colon cancer may form into a massive tumor. The cancer cells enter and destroy any tissue close by. They can also break apart and form new tumors in different areas of the human body. There are quite a few symptoms that can indicate cancer cells in the rectum or in the colon. The symptoms are blood in your stool, abdominal pains, significant weight loss, or diarrhea. Some people don’t complain immediately about any symptoms until their disease is at a more advanced stage. One difference between lung cancer and colon cancer is that they cause different symptoms. Lung cancer also has its share of symptoms. Its symptoms are a little different than colon cancer. The symptoms are as follows: coughing up blood, changes in a chronic cough, slight shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, loss of weight, pain in your joints, and headaches. According to the American Cancer Society, men have a higher death rate of lung cancer and a higher rate of colon cancer.1 118,080 fourteen percent of men die a year of lung cancer while 110,110; fourteen percent of women die a year from the disease. 73,680, nine percent of men each year die of colon cancer as 69,140, nine percent of women die from the disease.2 As you can see lung cancer is the most deadly. Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer in women and men. There are roughly around one hundred sixty thousand deaths a year due to this disease. With this being said, around twenty seven percent of lung cancer deaths is expected this year of 2013. Secondly, the risk factors for colon and lung cancer are completely different. Cigarette smoke is the main risk factor for lung cancer. It’s almost like eating a big bag of skittles when you have a history of diabetes in your family. Smoking a pipe and smoking a cigar is just as bad as cigarette smoke, and also increases the risk. The vulnerability to a type of gas called radon gas which is emitted off of soil and building surfaces and materials. This is the second leading cause of lung cancer deahs in the United States. There are a few additional ways that may increase the risk for lung cancer. Rubber manufacturing, chimney sweeping, paving, and roofing can make anyone vulnerable to the disease. People with a medical history of tuberculosis also increase the risk for this disease. Genetics also plays a contributing role in the formation of lung cancer. People who develop the disease at a younger age have a greater risk than most people. Thirdly, the difference between the two cancers is their