Dispelling the mythsO “Only smokers get Lung cancer”O “More women die from Breast cancer
than from Lung Cancer”O “I am too young to get Lung Cancer”O “There is nothing I can do to lower
my risk”O “Lung cancer rates are decreasing
now that fewer people are smoking”O “If I already have Lung cancer it
doesn’t matter if I quit smoking”O “Lung cancer is a death sentence”
Lung Cancer Risk Factors*Tobacco Smoke (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes)
*Secondhand smoke exposure
*Radon exposure
*Asbestos exposure
*Exposure to respiratory irritants (diesel exhaust,
smog, silica)
Early detection is the key!!
O Low dose CT.O Annual CXRO Monitoring of PFT’s O Annual PhysicalsO Report any health
changesO Reduce your risk!!
(smoking cessation, reduce environmental exposure)
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Often patients have no symptoms until cancer has advanced. Common symptoms:O cough (especially one that
doesn't go away or gets worse in character)
O chest pain O shortness of breath O coughing up blood or
bloody phlegm O new onset hoarseness or
wheezing O recurrent problems with
pneumonia or bronchitis O weight lossO loss of appetite O Retrieved on 8/12/2009 from http://oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?
c=9&s=76&ss=781&id=8037&p=2
Hot off the press- New screening guidelines
O November 9th, 2011 the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) updated surveillance guidelines for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer encouraging annual screening for HIGH RISK patients. Those people include:
O Age 55-74 ANDO ≥ 30 pack year history of smoking ANDO Smoking cessation < 15 yearsOR• Age ≥ 50 AND• ≥ 20 pack year history of smoking AND• One additional risk factor other than second hand
smoke. These factors include radon exposure, occupational exposure, family history of lung cancer, personal cancer history, history of COPD.