Lung Cancer: Prevention & Early Detection Saves Lives

While most people know that the main contributor to lung cancer is smoking, there are other factors which come into play such as genetics and your environment.

With November comes the health observance of National Lung Cancer Month. While this observance takes place at this time every year, there is never a bad time to discuss lung cancer and how it could affect you. It’s important to know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both women and men.

While most people know that the main contributor to lung cancer is smoking, there are other factors which come into play such as genetics and your environment. Other than the main contributor -- smoking, which accounts for about 80% of lung cancer deaths -- here are other known contributors:

• Radon exposure
• Asbestos exposure
• Certain dietary supplements
• Previous radiation therapy
• Air pollution
• Family history of lung cancer

How can I prevent lung cancer?

While many lung cancers cannot be totally prevented, there are actions you can take to lower your risk:

• Stop smoking – as previously mentioned, those who smoke are at a much higher risk to die from lung cancer.
• Eat a healthy diet – studies suggest that the same low-fat, low-cholesterol diet that benefits your heart and blood vessels may also reduce your risk of many kinds of cancer.
• Avoid radon exposure – it is important to have your home checked and also treated for radon.
• Avoid air pollution – this can be difficult, but there are measures you can take, such as regularly changing your home’s air filters and minimizing your time outdoors on days with unhealthy air alerts.

What are the different types of lung cancer?

The two most common lung cancers that you should know about are called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC accounts for around 85% of lung cancers. Meanwhile, SCLC accounts for around 10% of lung cancers. SCLC may be less common but it is more aggressive.

What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?

Lung cancer produces few, if any symptoms in its early stages. That's why, if you are at risk due to smoking, environmental exposure, family history or other factors, you should ask your doctor about being screened. The American Lung Association (ALA) offers a quiz to help you see if you need screening.

That said, there are symptoms you should not ignore. The ALA advises symptoms may include:

• A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time
• Coughing up blood*
• Weight loss and fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Constant chest pain*
• Shortness of breath or wheezing*
• Frequent lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia*
• Headaches, bone pain, bone fractures*, and/or blood clots*

Even if it doesn't turn out to be lung cancer, all of these symptoms can signal a serious health problem. Talk to your doctor if you develop any of these. Remember that symptoms marked with an asterisk (*) can signal a medical emergency!

Who should be screened for lung cancer?

Because lung cancer has no symptoms early, screening may be recommended for some people to improve changes of early detection. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends screening if you:

• Have a history of smoking 20 packs of cigarettes a year AND
• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years AND
• Are between 50 and 80 years old.

Talk to your primary care physician about your risk and whether you should be screened.

How is lung cancer treated?

If lung cancer is detected, there is an array of treatment paths to best suit your situation. Your cancer doctor – called an oncologist – will work with you and other providers in specialties such as radiation oncology to decide which treatment plan is best for you. Options may include:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Stem cell or bone marrow transplant
• Hormone therapy

While the stages of many cancers are determined on a I through IV scale, lung cancer stages range from 0 to IV. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the stage number, the less the cancer has spread.

What are the survival rates like?

The survival rates of lung cancer vary. These rates are often evaluated as what’s called a relative survival rate, which compares people experiencing the same form and stage of cancer to people in the general population. To explain more, if the 5-year relative rate for a specific cancer is 80%, that means people who have this specific cancer are around 80% as likely as people in the general population to live for at least 5 years after diagnosis.

For NSCLC, the 5-year relative survival rate if detected early is about 63%. However, if you include all stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 25%.

For SCLC, the 5-year relative survival rate if detected early is about 27%. If you include all stages, the 5-year relative survival rates is 7%.

These numbers show why prevention is vital and why early detection matters!

How can St. Mary’s help?

At St. Mary’s, we have many ways to help you achieve your health goals whether they involve prevention or treatment.

• Comprehensive medical staff: Including primary care doctors, oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pulmonologists and more. Not all physicians on our medical staff are employed by St. Mary’s, but all physicians listed in our Find A Doctor web feature are affiliated with St. Mary’s.
• Freedom from Smoking: America’s most successful smoking cessation program, led by an ex-smoker and registered respiratory technologist Todd Drake.
• Wellness Centers: Fully equipped gyms and fun classes in Athens and Lavonia to maximize your health and fitness
• Diagnostic services: Including the region’s most powerful CT technology, plus services such as pulmonary function testing and pathology services
• Surgical services: St. Mary’s offers compassionate, high-tech surgical capabilities
• Home Health Care/Hospice/Palliative Care Services: High quality, compassionate care delivered in your home.

Need a doctor? Care begins with your primary care physician.

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Mark Ralston, St. Mary’s Public Relations Manager, contributed to this article.

St. Mary’s Blog is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional about health concerns you may have. If you or others are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department.