Nov. 2, 2023 | November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to increasing awareness about the deadly disease and treatment options. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, the most common form being skin cancer, followed by breast cancer among women and prostate cancer among men. More people in the United States will die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. This is true for both men and women. According to estimates by the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 127,070 patients will die of the disease in the U.S. in 2023. After increasing for decades, lung cancer rates are decreasing nationally, as fewer people smoke cigarettes, as screenings become more common and as treatments improve. People with lung cancer are living longer after their diagnosis because more cases are found early, when treatment works best.

Nov. 2, 2023 | There are two types of lung cancer, small cell and non-small cell, Small cell lung cancer occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers and is less common than non-small cell lung cancer, which includes adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers, in smokers and in people exposed to secondhand smoke. But lung cancer also occurs in people who never smoked and in those who never had exposure to secondhand smoke. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of lung cancer. When you inhale cigarette smoke, which is full of carcinogens, changes in the lung tissue begin almost immediately. At first your body may be able to repair this damage. But with each repeated exposure, normal cells that line your lungs are increasingly damaged. Over time, the damage causes cells to act abnormally and eventually cancer may develop. However, there are benefits to quitting even after years of smoking.

Nov. 2, 2023 | There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Dr. Matthew Steliga, a thoracic surgeon at UAMS’ Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, says smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, with the risk increasing exponentially with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also increase your chances of lung cancer. Dr. Steliga adds that people with a parent, sibling or child with lung cancer have an increased risk of the disease. Workplace exposure to asbestos and other substances known to cause cancer, such as arsenic and nickel, can increase your risk of developing lung cancer, especially if you’re a smoker. And long-term exposure to radon gas, which is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually becomes part of the air you breathe, can also lead to lung cancer.

Nov. 2, 2023 | Doctors from different specialties often work together to treat lung cancer. Pulmonologists are medical doctors who are experts in diseases of the lungs. Surgeons are doctors who perform operations. Thoracic surgeons specialize in chest, heart, and lung surgery. Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with medicines. Radiation oncologists are doctors who treat cancers with radiation. What kind of treatment these doctors employ depends on the type of lung cancer and how far it has spread. People with non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Immunotherapy involves the use of drugs to allow the patient’s own immune system to fight the cancer. Radiation therapy relies on the use of high-energy rays similar to X-rays to kill the cancer while chemotherapy involves the use of special medications to shrink or kill the cancer.

Nov. 2, 2023 | If you or someone you know is dealing with the distress and uncertainty of lung cancer, here are some suggested ways of coping with the disease. First, seek out experts in lung cancer or ask to be referred to a team of experts that works together, this is called a multidisciplinary team. Ask your doctors about your treatment options and your prognosis. As you learn more, you may become more confident in making treatment decisions. Next, keep friends and family close. Keeping your close relationships strong will help you deal with your cancer. Friends and family can provide the practical support you’ll need, such as transportation or helping take care of your home if you’re in the hospital. Finally, find someone to talk with, a good listener who is willing to listen to you discuss your hopes and fears. This may be a friend or family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, social worker, clergy member or cancer support group also may be helpful.