By Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP, FASCO – Medical Oncologist at Naples Cancer Advisors
As lung cancer oncologists, we have seen the profound impact that early detection and innovative treatments can have on patient outcomes and their families. Lung cancer, long considered one of the most challenging cancers to treat, takes more lives than the second, third, and fourth causes of cancer death combined. However, recent advancements in early detection, improved treatment options, and a growing understanding of prevention are offering new hope to patients.
In this article, we will explore key insights into lung cancer prevention, the importance of screening, and how emerging treatments are changing outcomes for patients. We will also highlight the philanthropic mission of Naples Cancer Advisors to provide free second opinions and invite the community to support our upcoming Wine Women and Shoes event.
Understanding Lung Cancer: A Preventable Disease?
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but it’s also one of the most preventable cancers. Smoking remains the single largest risk factor, responsible for about 80-90% of cases. Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of developing lung cancer, even after years of smoking. In fact, within 10 years of quitting, the risk of lung cancer drops by 50%.
However, lung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease. Exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution are also significant contributors. Only about 12% of lung cancer cases occur in individuals who never smoked. Preventive measures, such as improving air quality and reducing exposure to harmful substances, are crucial to lung health.
For Florida residents seeking to quit smoking, Tobacco Free Florida offers various free tools and services, including nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges, as well as Group and Web Quit programs, which provide personalized coaching and support.
The Importance of Early Detection
One of the greatest challenges in treating lung cancer is that it often remains undetected until it has reached an advanced stage. Symptoms such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss are frequently mistaken for less serious conditions, leading to delayed diagnoses.
Fortunately, lung cancer screening has become a game-changer. The introduction of low-dose CT (LDCT) screening allows for earlier detection, particularly among high-risk individuals such as smokers and former smokers aged 50-80 with a heavy smoking history of 20 pack-years or more. According to the National Lung Screening Trial, LDCT screening reduces lung cancer deaths by about 20%.
At Naples Cancer Advisors, we emphasize the importance of lung cancer screening for eligible patients. Early detection increases the chances for successful treatment, and we encourage at-risk individuals to discuss screening with their healthcare providers. Additionally, we strongly encourage smokers to enroll in smoking cessation programs, many of which are free.
Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment
Over the past decade, lung cancer treatment has progressed significantly. Once limited to chemotherapy, treatment options now include targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which have transformed the landscape for both early and advanced stages of the disease.
Targeted therapies are designed to attack specific mutations within cancer cells, offering a more personalized and effective treatment approach. For example, therapies targeting mutations in genes such as EGFR, ALK, and ROS1 have led to dramatic improvements in outcomes for certain patients.
Immunotherapy, which harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer, has also emerged as a breakthrough treatment. Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) improve survival rates by reactivating the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Clinical trials continue to uncover new ways to treat lung cancer, with many patients benefiting from access to the latest treatment options.
At Naples Cancer Advisors, we help patients navigate the clinical trial landscape, ensuring they have access to the most promising treatments. Our commitment to personalized care and cutting-edge treatment offers hope to patients facing lung cancer.
Naples Cancer Advisors: A Mission of Compassion and Care
Naples Cancer Advisors (NCA) is dedicated to providing platinum-level consultative oncology services to patients in Southwest Florida, completely free of charge. Our mission is to ensure that all patients have access to expert second opinions, clinical trial navigation, genetic testing, and financial assistance.
We do not offer treatment directly, allowing patients to remain under the care of their oncologists while benefiting from our expertise. Our services are fully funded by donations and philanthropic events like our upcoming Wine Women and Shoes event.
Cancer can be overwhelming both emotionally and financially. Naples Cancer Advisors exists to bridge the gap in care, ensuring that no patient has to face this journey alone.
Join Us for the 2025 Wine Women and Shoes Event
On February 8th, 2025, Naples Cancer Advisors will host our annual Wine Women and Shoes event at the Naples Yacht Club. This event brings the community together for a day of fun, fashion, and philanthropy. Attendees can shop for unique finds with our vendors, participate in our silent and live auction, purchase a mystery shoe box, pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win our Keys to the Destination valued at over $10,000, and much, much more! VIP guests will have exclusive access to a private yacht and wine tasting.
We invite you to join us in supporting this cause. Whether by sponsoring the event, purchasing tickets, or making a donation, every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can offer hope to cancer patients and their families.
Naples Cancer Advisors Partners with Donatos Pizza
Donatos Pizza Naples (6434 Naples Blvd) is excited to support Naples Cancer Advisors through a special partnership. Customers can round up their total to donate to Naples Cancer Advisors when ordering online at www.donatos.com now through 12/30/24.
Locally owned and operated, Donatos Pizza opened in Naples in February 2024, and is committed to giving back to the local community and such a great cause.
Looking Ahead: Hope for the Future
While lung cancer remains a significant challenge, advancements in screening, treatment, and prevention have dramatically improved outcomes. As we observe Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, I encourage you to take action—whether it’s getting screened, quitting smoking, or supporting organizations like Naples Cancer Advisors that are on the frontlines of cancer care.
There is hope for those diagnosed with lung cancer, and together, we can make a difference in the fight against this disease.
For more information on lung cancer, screening options, or how to get involved with Naples Cancer Advisors, visit www.naplescanceradvisors.org or call 239-846-2273. To learn more about the Wine Women and Shoes event, please visit https://www.winewomenandshoes.com/event/naples/.
Dr. Jahanzeb joined the Naples Cancer Advisors practice in 2024 to provide no-cost second opinions to the SWFL community. Dr. Jahanzeb is the Co-Founder and President of OncAdvisor and also co-founded PrecisCa. His most recent practice sites were Florida Cancer Specialists and FloridaPrecision Oncology. He was formerly a Professor of Clinical Medicine, Hematology/Oncology at University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, where he also served as the Associate Director of Community Outreach and Medical Director of the Deerfield Campus for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for about nine years. He received his oncology training at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, where he subsequently served on Faculty. He has practiced and led clinical research in lung and breast cancer medical oncology for about 30 years.
References
• National Lung Screening Trial Research Team. (2011). Reduced lung-cancer mortality
with low-dose computed tomographic screening. New England Journal of Medicine, 365(5), 395-409.
• Duma N, Santana-Davila R, Molina JR. Non-small cell lung cancer: Epidemiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2019).
• Johnson DH. The evolving role of immunotherapy in lung cancer. Cure Today (2024).
• Tobacco Free Florida. Free smoking cessation tools and programs. Available at Tobacco Free Florida.