Lung cancer is often not given the same kind of attention as breast or other cancers; however, it is the number one cancer killer.
Neeraj Desai, MD, an interventional pulmonology expert with Endeavor Health is working to raise awareness of the benefits of early detection to dramatically improve outcomes for people with lung cancer.
“People automatically assume it only happens to smokers and there is still a lot of stigma and taboo around lung cancer — and we need to get to past that,” said Dr. Desai.
While smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, radon is another very important risk factor that can be modified to prevent the development of lung cancer, added Dr. Desai. “Plenty of nonsmokers develop lung cancer too and we are encouraging people to do what they can to minimize risks and get screened,” he said.
Check your home for radon
Radon is now the second leading cause of lung cancer and it is very prevalent in the Midwest. Dr. Desai urges people to have their homes checked for radon. “Whether you are moving to a new house or have never tested the house you live in, it’s important to have it tested for radon as a preventative strategy” he said.
When nonsmokers who live in the same house develop lung cancer that can be a good indicator that there is radon in the house.
Low-dose CT scans for people at high risk of developing lung cancer have proven to be a tremendous tool for early detection. Endeavor Health was an active participant in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) that helped establish guidelines for screening which have been linked to a 20% reduction in lung cancer deaths.
Smokers and former smokers should be screened
People aged 50-80 years old who currently smoke or who have quit within the last 15 years are encouraged to talk to their physician about screening.
“Unfortunately, we are still not screening nearly as many people as we should. At best, only 25% of the people who qualify for screening are taking advantage of the potentially lifesaving tool,” said Dr. Desai.
And when screening identifies a suspicious finding, ion robotic bronchoscopy has been a game changer, allowing specialists like Dr. Desai to biopsy the smallest of nodules at the earliest stages.
“This state-of the-art equipment allows us to stage the cancer and see if it has spread to the lymph nodes at the same time we do the biopsy,” explained Dr. Desai, who helps train others in the minimally invasive robotic technology.
Using a small camera on a flexible tube, the ion robotic bronchoscopy has a navigation system that allows very precise movement navigating through the airways for extremely accurate diagnosis of nodules. A marker can also be placed during the procedure to help guide surgeons in excision and to note the exact spot for radiation treatment.
Personalized treatment improves outcomes
If lymph nodes are already involved, targeted therapies, including immunotherapy, radiation and/or minimally invasive surgery, may be part of a personalized treatment plan.
“Every cancer is different, and newer targeted therapies — along with advanced technology and early screening — are helping us improve outcomes for lung cancer patients,” said Dr. Desai.
Fifteen years ago, the five-year survival rate for people with lung cancer was just 16%. That number has increased to 27%.
“Our goal is to get to the kind of survival rates we see for breast cancer patients. We still have a lot of room to grow, and we know our ability to diagnose patients earlier is the key,” said Dr. Desai.
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