Researchers say that women with lung cancer survive longer than men with the disease, respond differently to at least one cancer drug and show higher levels of tobacco-induced genetic damage in their lungs.

The report published in the latest Journal of American Medical Association suggested that the differences may stem from the effects of the hormone oestrogen.

The researchers note that even though women appear more vulnerable to tissue damage from carcinogens in tobacco smoke, those who develop lung cancer usually survive a bit longer than men with the same disease.

(CRI online April 26, 2004)