The Key to Prevention & Detection
story by C. Eric Wooten, M.D., Carolinas Hospital
Lung cancer is a disease in which cells arise in the lungs and begin to grow out of control. If undetected and untreated, lung cancer can spread to lymph nodes and other organs. It can be a devastating disease and remains the number one cause of cancer mortality for both men and women in the United States. Recent advances in lung cancer prevention, early detection and treatment are improving survival.
Risk
Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body. It’s also the number one risk factor to cause lung cancer and is linked to 80-90% of lung cancer deaths. Other tobacco products such as cigars and pipes also increase risk. Quitting smoking at any age can lower the risk of lung cancer, COPD, heart disease and many other diseases. Secondhand smoke can be just as dangerous and is known to contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, asthma attacks, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.
One of the leading causes according to the American Lung Association (ALA) of lung cancer in non-smokers is radon gas and has been found in homes all across the US and the world. Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless and odorless gas that comes up from the ground and gets trapped in houses or structures. It is estimated that 1 in 15 houses in the US has high radon levels and testing your home is recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. Other exposures such as asbestos and a family history of lung cancer also contribute.
Prevention & Detection
Public education about the link between smoking and lung cancer has reduced the incidence of lung cancer in the US. Radon testing your home is also an import preventative measure. Other important ways to lower your risk of developing lung cancer is to avoid secondhand smoke, exercise, eating healthier foods and limiting alcohol intake. The single best preventative method to avoid lung cancer is to quit smoking.
One of the tools used for early detection is a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan. Many symptoms of lung cancer are not specific to the disease so it can progress to advanced stages before detection. A recent method of screening dramatically improved survival in current and former smokers, detecting the disease early when the chance of cure is greatest. This method saved 1 in 5 people diagnosed with lung cancer based off comparison to a control group. The screening also has shown to reduce the overall risk of death from lung cancer by almost 7%.
To put this into perspective, lung cancer screening exceeds survival benefit of screening for prostate, breast or colon cancer. As an Oncologist, it is exciting to imagine the benefit of yearly exams throughout a patient’s life.
Yearly screening is recommended for those meeting the following criteria:
• Have a history of smoking 30 pack years* or more (A pack year is smoking an average of one pack per day, per year.)
• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years
• Are between 55 and 80 years old.
Unfortunately, despite the overwhelming benefit of screening, rates remain very low. Research presented at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting revealed that in 2016 only 2% of a 7.6 million eligible population were screened in the US. For many, screening simply hasn’t become a regular practice or a successful early detection program isn’t available to either physicians or patients.
At Carolinas Hospital System, our administrators, Oncologists and Pulmonologists have come together to create a screening protocol and lung clinic for primary providers to easily refer patients for treatment and follow-up.
The Pee Dee region has shown a high rate of smoking and lung cancer. Raising public awareness about the importance of screening can potentially save many lives.
If you, or someone you know meets the criteria, encourage them to contact their primary care provider or call Carolinas Hospital System Lung Nodule Clinic (843) 673-7529. Screening is covered by most insurance providers.
Dr. C. Eric Wooten is the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Carolinas Hospital System. He is board certified in radiation oncology. For more information call Carolinas Hospital System Radiation Oncology at (843) 674-2470 or go to CarolinasHospital.com.
If you, or someone you know meets the criteria, encourage them to contact their primary care provider or call Carolinas Hospital System Lung Nodule Clinic (843) 673-7529. Screening is covered by most insurance providers.