Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      The fight against lung cancer in the 21st century

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can evaluate the success of attempts to manage the problems caused by lung cancer in the 21st century.

      Key learning points

      1. Lung cancer became more common in Britain after 1900.
      2. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer.
      3. Many people are diagnosed with lung cancer too late for treatments to help them.
      4. Governmnet attempts at prevention have mainly focused on stopping smoking.
      5. Smoking rates and lung cancer death rates have both declined in the 21st century.

      Keywords

      • Passive smoking - where non-smokers breathe in smoke from cigarettes

      • Enclosed - in this context, a space that is surrounded or closed off on all sides

      Common misconception

      Smoking is the only cause of lung cancer.

      Non-smokers can also develop lung cancer. Sometimes this is because of passive smoking, but other causes like air pollution can also be responsible.

      Teacher tip

      At the start of Task C, ask students why the costs of care for lung cancer care would make prevention such a high priority for 21st century governments. Students should refer to the difficulties of funding the NHS and that less demand for lung cancer would allow more focus on other health issues.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The state of being unable to catch a specific disease is known as .

      Correct Answer: immunity

      Q2.
      Which law was a response to the Great Smog?

      1848 Public Health Act
      1875 Public Health Act
      1911 National Insurance Act
      Correct answer: 1956 Clean Air Act

      Q3.
      How did obesity rates change in Britain between 1993 and 2015?

      halved
      remained the same
      Correct answer: doubled

      Q4.
      In which year did the British government begin providing vaccinations against diphtheria free of charge?

      Correct Answer: 1942

      Q5.
      A new tax was introduced on what type of items in 2018?

      foods with low fat content
      foods with low vitamin levels
      Correct answer: drinks with high sugar content
      drinks and food which were produced outside of Britain

      Q6.
      Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

      1 - Diagnosis often involved physicians tasting urine samples.
      2 - Most physicians stop basing diagnoses on the Theory of Four Humours.
      3 - X-rays were discovered.
      4 - Blood test for syphillis were developed.
      5 - MRI scans were developed.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What term is used to describe situations where non-smokers breathe in smoke from cigarettes?

      Correct Answer: passive smoking

      Q2.
      Which of the following is a treatment used for lung cancer patients?

      CT scans
      health warnings on cigarettes
      public smoking ban
      Correct answer: radiotherapy

      Q3.
      What was the minimum age to buy cigarettes in Britain increased to in 2007?

      Correct Answer: 18, eighteen, 18 years old, eighteen years old

      Q4.
      Which statement is correct?

      Smoking is the only cause of lung cancer.
      Correct answer: Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer.
      Smoking is the second most common cause of lung cancer.
      Smoking is the least common cause of lung cancer.
      Smoking is not a cause of lung cancer.

      Q5.
      Which statement is correct?

      Correct answer: Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer in Britain.
      Lung cancer kills less people than any other cancer in Britain.
      Lung cancer kills virtually no patients in Britain.

      Q6.
      Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

      1 - Scientists proved that smoking can cause lung cancer.
      2 - Doctors began using CT scans for lung cancer diagnoses.
      3 - Cigarette packaging was required to show large health warnings.
      4 - Tobacco advertising was banned in Britain, including for sports events.
      5 - Public smoking ban was introduced.

      To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The fight against lung cancer in the 21st century, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...