There is no such thing as a routine lung cancer.
Although it’s the second most diagnosed cancer in the United States (more than 220,000 cases each year), it is by far the leading cancer-causing death in men and women. However, lung cancer survival rates continue to improve, thanks in large part to a decrease in tobacco use as well as new, individualized and targeted therapies like those discovered at OSUCCC - James.
Lung cancer is not just one disease, but many different ones that are treated very differently - often even having subsets within these subsets.
Lung cancer begins in the cells in the lung or the bronchi (tubes that run from the windpipe into the lungs) when normal cell growth and division are disrupted. When specific cancer genes in the cells are damaged, or mutate, it causes cancer cells to grow and multiply. When those cells grow out of control, they can spread to other parts of the body through the lymph nodes or blood vessels near the lungs. Lung cancer remains lung cancer, even after it has spread to other sites like the brain or bones.
Although smoking causes about 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, air pollution and other environmental factors causes about 10 to 20 percent of all lung cancers. The effects of smoking are long-lasting, and most people diagnosed today are ex-smokers.
Diagnosing: At the OSUCCC - James, subspecialists perform actual tumor sequencing tests for every patient to determine his or her unique subtype of lung cancer so that they can develop an individualized plan with the most targeted, effective treatments for that particular patient.
Doing so leads to even more improved outcomes, faster responses to treatment and fewer side effects for each individual.
Lung Cancer Risk Factors: The best way to reduce lung cancer risk is to avoid or stop smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes and to avoid chewing tobacco. About 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases in the United States are related to tobacco use.
Additionally, cancer risk rises with the number of years a person has used tobacco and the amount. The damage done by smoking is also permanent, and while the risk of lung cancer goes down after smoking cessation, it never returns to normal, so even longtime ex-smokers should be aware that they have an increased risk.
Lung cancer risk is also increased for people who have other risk factors, such as:
Family history of lung cancer
A personal history of lung cancer
Exposure to certain materials such as radiation, arsenic or asbestos
A history of radiation therapy to the breast or chest
Exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollution
A history of lung diseases such as tuberculosis (TB)
Low-dose CT scans have been shown to reduce the number of deaths from lung cancer in people at high risk of the disease. To schedule a lung cancer screening, call the OSUCCC - James at 800-293-5066.
Learn more about our lung cancer screening clinic.
Lung Cancer Symptoms: The inside of the chest is a large space, so lung cancer can grow and advance to a large size before a patient has any symptoms.
All people, but particularly those at high risk for lung cancer, including anyone who smokes cigarettes, has a history of using any kind of tobacco or has had environmental exposures such as radon, diesel exhaust, excessive air pollution and more should watch for common symptoms.
Common lung cancer symptoms:
A chronic cough or one that continues to worsen
Hoarseness
Constant chest pain
Frequent lung infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
Shortness of breath and wheezing
Coughing up blood
Feeling weak or tired
Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
If you have received a lung cancer diagnosis, or if you want a second opinion or just want to speak to a lung cancer specialist, we are here to help you. Call 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.