Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
The second leading cancer in both men and women is LUNG CANCER. According to the American Cancer Society’s Statistics, there will be 234,030 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed and 154,050 deaths from lung cancer this year alone. Despite these grim statistics, nearly 430,000 people today, have at some point in their lives been diagnosed with lung cancer, and yet they are alive and well with zero remission. This is predominantly because it was caught early through lung cancer screenings.
Three main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and lung carcinoid lung cancer.
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type, affecting nearly 85% of those with lung cancer. Fortunately, this form of carcinoma usually grows at a slower rate. There are three subsets that makeup NSCLC, Squamous, adenocarcinoma, and large cell.
• Small Cell or Oat Cell cancer affects nearly 10% of the lung cancer population and spreads very rapidly.
• Lung Carcinoid affects about 5% of those with lung cancer. It grows very slowly and rarely spreads.
Smokers are of course at higher risk of developing lung cancer. However, the stereotype that often coincides with a lung cancer diagnosis is that patients are assumed to have smoked. But, the stark reality is that in many cases, lung cancer diagnosis happens to patients that have never smoked a day in their life.
Non-smokers that have lung cancer are usually identified as those that have been exposed to environmental carcinogens like, cleaning products, diesel exhaust, radon gas, asbestos or those with genetic mutations. Research suggests that screening a high-risk population for lung cancer can drastically reduce the number of mortalities from this disease.
CT Scan Screening
CT scans of the chest are advantageous in identifying and screening for lung cancers. If lung cancers are found in the early stages, the treatment options and outcomes are much more successful. Because CT scans can detect tiny masses in the lungs, by detecting cancerous tumors at an early stage, an individual’s survival rate may be significantly improved.
Lung cancer screenings are crucial for smokers and former smokers, especially those 55-80 years of age. This is due to the prevalence of lung cancer seen in this population. The screenings are also vital for individuals exposed to carcinogens, or those that show signs and symptoms of lung disorders.
Given the advantages of having lung screenings with CT scans, due to the higher resolution and ability to detect very tiny cancer cells, there is a proven reduction in lung cancer-
related deaths compared to those patients who are tested with X-ray.
Secondary Lung Cancer Risks
Recurrence of cancer is cancer that returns after treatment, but second cancer happens when survivors develop a new unconnected cancer. According to the America Cancer Society, “Cancers Linked to Radiation Treatment.
Lung Cancer: The risk of lung cancer is higher in women who had radiation therapy after a mastectomy as part of their treatment. The risk does not seem to be increased in women
who have radiation therapy to the breast after a lumpectomy. The increased risk is first seen about 10 years after radiation and gets higher over time. The risk is even higher in women who smoke.”
Unfortunately, secondary cancers can happen in numerous types of cancers. If you have had cancer before and you feel symptomatic or are having symptoms, having a cancer screening is imperative for your health.
Treatment & Recovery
Depending on the stage and type of lung cancer, there are several treatment options. These include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Early detection is imperative for survival rates, health impacts, and recovery.
If you would like a lung cancer screening, please call Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Specialists of SWFL today at (239) 985-1925, or ask your primary care physician refer you to their office.
Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep
Medicine Specialists of SWFL
7335 Gladiolus Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 985-1925
www.breatheeasyswfl.com
