Spreading the word for World Lung Cancer Day

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates more than a quarter million people will have lung cancer diagnosed this year, including nearly 4,000 in Louisiana alone. We’re sharing the facts about this type of cancer for World Lung Cancer Day.

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States but accounts for the largest number of cancer deaths. Lung cancer causes approximately 1.8 million deaths in 2022.

There’s good news, however: Survival rates for lung cancer have been increasing steadily in recent decades, mainly due to early detection and improved therapies. Keep reading as our East Jefferson General Hospital cancer care team shares the facts about this type of cancer and who is at risk.

The facts about World Lung Cancer Day

Aug. 1 is designated as World Lung Cancer Day, set aside to raise awareness about lung cancer and the need to fund more research. The annual awareness day was established in 2012.

Lung cancer-related research has played a key role in lowering the mortality rate associated with the disease. As researchers have studied lung cancer, they have discovered new insights about how it forms, how to prevent it, how to detect it and how to treat it. These insights have helped make the disease more survivable—the ACS reports that lung cancer mortality rates have declined by 59% since 1990 for men and by 36% since 2002 in women.

Understanding lung cancer risk

There are two primary types of lung cancer—non-small cell lung cancer, which is the most common, and the more aggressive and challenging to treat small cell lung cancer. For both types of lung cancer, smoking is the top risk factor, accounting for approximately 80% of all cases.

The risk associated with smoking increases the longer you smoke and the more you smoke. Smoking combined with other behaviors, such as consuming alcohol, dramatically increases the risk of lung cancer.

Not all risk factors for lung cancer relate to smoking, though. Even nonsmokers can be diagnosed with the disease. Other lung cancer risks include:

• Air pollution
• Exposure to asbestos, arsenic, beryllium, chromium, nickel, soot or tar
• Exposure to radon
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Family history of lung cancer
• HIV infection
• Lung disease
• Radiation therapy to the chest

Adults 65 and older are most often diagnosed with lung cancer.

[H2] Who needs lung cancer screening

Understanding lung cancer risk can help you determine whether you qualify for screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends an annual lung cancer screening for those who meet all three of these criteria:

• Are between age 50 and 80
• Currently smoke or have quit in the last 15 years
• Have a 20 pack-year smoking history

Wondering what a “pack year” is? Smoking one pack—about 20 cigarettes on average—each day for one year is a pack year. To have a 20 pack-year smoking history, a person could have smoked an average of two packs per day for 10 years, one pack per day for 20 years or another equivalent.

Lung cancer screening consists of a painless, low-dose CT scan of the chest. During the test, a scanner captures detailed images of the lungs and chest.

While screening is only recommended for a select group of people, your primary care provider or a specialist may recommend you have a diagnostic CT scan if you’re experiencing certain symptoms, such as a lingering or worsening cough, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing. The imaging scan can help identify any suspicious spots in the lungs and determine the next steps. A diagnostic CT scan is a painless procedure that takes X-ray images to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It's a quick and noninvasive way to examine your lungs.

In recent years, improved access to screening and treatment has led to improved outcomes. In many cases, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer can now often be treated solely by removing the tumor surgically, without additional treatment.

Even when additional treatment is needed, innovations in treatment methods have improved outcomes and made the disease more survivable. On World Lung Cancer Day and every day, that’s worth celebrating!

East Jefferson General Hospital offers comprehensive cancer care, including services to diagnose and treat lung cancer. We’re here for you from diagnosis through survivorship.