Prevention. Early detection. Greater chances of survival.
These are the goals we pursue for every patient. They are especially important when facing lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Most people know that smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer. Tobacco use not only increases the risk of lung cancer but is also linked to heart disease, chronic lung disease and several other cancers. Second-hand smoke also increases the risk in non-smokers. While smoking rates have declined, further progress is needed. In Missouri, about 15 percent of adults still smoke, well above the national average of 10 percent.
Avoiding tobacco or quitting smoking is the primary way to prevent lung cancer. However, smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer. Radon, a naturally occurring colorless and odorless gas, is the second leading cause. Simple home-testing kits can identify elevated radon levels, and mitigation systems can effectively reduce exposure. Occupational hazards, including asbestos, silica and other airborne pollutants, also increases the risk, making workplace safety an important preventive strategy.
Although lung cancer is only the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., it remains the deadliest. One reason is that many patients are diagnosed after the disease has already spread, when treatment becomes more challenging and survival rates decline.
Fortunately, advances in screening are helping change that. Low-dose CT (LDCT) scans can detect tiny lung nodules before symptoms develop. The test is quick, painless and uses significantly less radiation than a conventional CT scan. Patients simply lie on a table for a few minutes while detailed images of their lungs are created.
The benefit of screening is clear. Large clinical trials have shown that LDCT screening reduces lung cancer deaths by approximately 20 percent by detecting cancers at earlier more treatable stages. Current guidelines recommend annual LDCT screening for adults ages 50-80 with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, etc.).
Nearly 70 percent of early-stage lung cancers appear as tiny spots in the outer regions of the lungs, which have traditionally been difficult to reach with conventional bronchoscopy. Today, robotic bronchoscopy is transforming the diagnosis of these lesions. Using ultra-thin, highly maneuverable catheters, physicians can navigate deep into the lungs and precisely target small, hard-to-reach spots. This technology allows for safer and more accurate biopsies, helping diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stages. The procedure is minimally invasive, requires no surgical incisions and most patients return home the same day.
The message is simple: prevention and early detection save lives. If you smoke, consider quitting. If you have a history of smoking or other risk factors for lung cancer, talk with your healthcare provider about whether screening is right for you. Taking action today could make all the difference tomorrow.
Dr. Vikram Oke is a pulmonologist and critical care specialist with Mercy Jefferson. He sees patients at Mercy Clinic Pulmonology.
