|
Home One Woman's Triumph over Cancer Lung Cancer Can Be Caught Early Heart Attack or Indigestion? Know Your Heart Heart Disease and Women How Prenatal Screenings and Ultrasounds Can Help Find Relief for Incontinence, Pelvic Pain – Finally Knee Pain Can Be Sign of a More Serious Condition |
Breathing Easier:Lung Cancer Can Be Caught Early  Dr. Shanda Blackmon Thoracic Surgeon The Methodist Hospital Facing the Facts About 213,380 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in 2007, according to the American Cancer Society. Women in particular are hit hard by this disease, which claims more lives than breast cancer. "About 85% of lung cancers are related to smoking, but other cancer-causing factors include exposure to asbestos and other workplace chemicals such as radon," Dr. Blackmon says. Lung cancer can take two forms: non-small cell (NSCLC) and small cell (SCLC). Doctors can tell the difference by looking at how the cancer cells appear through a microscope. Treatment is based on the type of cancer. "Non-small cell lung cancer is typically treated through surgery, and small cell lung cancer is most often targeted with radiation and chemotherapy," Dr. Blackmon says. When surgery is required, a new and less-invasive technique called video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) can remove the cancer using a small camera and tiny incisions. New Research The Methodist Hospital is participating in six clinical trials to help create better methods of detecting and treating lung cancer. "Our goal in the Thoracic Surgery Department is to offer a clinical trial to every patient at every stage of the disease," Dr. Blackmon says. "We want our patients to receive the standard of care plus something better." With lung cancer, patient education is key. "We spend a lot of energy educating patients about the risk factors for the disease and how they can improve their health," Dr. Blackmon notes. For most people, the first step is to stop smoking and limit exposure to secondhand smoke. The risk of developing lung cancer decreases with each year of not smoking. A person who has quit smoking for 10 years can reduce his or her risk by 30% to 50%.* If you're concerned about lung cancer or are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue or blood in the sputum, consult a health care professional. * Source: www.LungCancer.org. Getting screened for lung cancer is
the best way of finding the cancer at
an early stage, when it's most treatable. To
schedule an appointment at The Methodist
Hospital, please call 888-285-1459. |