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Men and lung disease

A man poses in front of a firetruck.

June 2, 2026—When it comes to lung disease, some conditions tend to hit men the hardest. While anyone can get the following conditions, they occur more often in men than in women. And a few of them tend to be more severe in men.

Lung cancer

Men are more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than women. And they're more likely to die from it than women, too, the American Lung Association reports.

If you smoke, quitting can reduce your risk. So can avoiding secondhand smoke.

Screening current or former smokers can find lung cancer early, when it's more treatable. In other words, lung cancer screening may save your life. Find out if you may qualify.

Pneumonia

Men are more likely to get pneumonia, a lung infection. Men may also be more at risk of dying from pneumonia, in part because of differences in their body's immune responses compared to women. You can reduce your chances of getting pneumonia with immunizations and healthy habits.

Tuberculosis

Around the world, tuberculosis (TB) is diagnosed most often in men, the World Health Organization reports. That's true in the United States, too, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when a person with TB in their lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings.

You can be infected with TB and not feel sick—that's called inactive TB.

Without treatment, inactive TB can develop into active TB, which may cause:

  • Coughing, including coughing up blood.
  • Fever.
  • Fatigue.
  • Weight loss.

You are more likely to be exposed to TB if you:

  • Spend time with someone who has the illness.
  • Are from or travel to a country where TB is common.
  • Work in places where TB is more likely to spread.

TB is treatable with medications. Let your doctor know if you think you've been exposed to TB or have symptoms. You might need a TB test.

Some work-related lung diseases

Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of cancer that starts in tissue around organs such as the lungs. Older men who worked around asbestos have the highest risk of mesothelioma.

Another work-related lung disease to be aware of is silicosis, caused by breathing in silica dust, which gradually scars the lungs.

In general, the signs and symptoms of a work-related lung disease may not appear until years later. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms like these:

  • Frequent coughing.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Wheezing (a whistling sound from your chest when you breathe).
  • Chest pain.

If you work around things that could harm your lungs, take steps to minimize your exposure. For instance, be sure to use the proper protective equipment for your job.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

IPF is a type of pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs) that has no known cause. Up to 7 out of 10 people who have IPF are men, according to the ALA.

Shortness of breath, a dry hacking cough and gradual weight loss are possible warning signs. While there's no cure, treatment can slow down IPF and help with symptoms.

It's important to remember that women are not immune to these lung diseases. If you have questions or concerns about your lung health, let your doctor know.

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