Lung cancer: Understanding risks, detection and treatment

Written by Cindy Lunsford, lung cancer screening nurse navigator at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel

Lung cancer is a serious health condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. These abnormal cells often form tumors that can impair the lungs' ability to provide oxygen to the bloodstream. It is the leading cause of cancer death not only in the United States, but throughout the state.

Risk Factors

The most common risk factor for lung cancer is cigarette smoking. Other lung cancer risk factors include secondhand smoke and exposure to radon and asbestos. The association between these other risk factors and lung cancer are much weaker than smoking.

Not everyone who develops lung cancer has smoked. In fact, about one in 10 lung cancer patients have no smoking history. Some patients with lung cancer do not have any particular risk factor that can be identified.

Early Detection

Early detection of lung cancer is critical for effective treatment, as symptoms like persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and unexplained weight loss often appear in later stages. Routine lung screenings, such as low-dose CT scans, can help detect lung cancer at an early stage, particularly in individuals who are at higher risk, such as long-term smokers. One out of seven people who are eligible for lung screening will develop lung cancer at some point in their life. However, when found at stage one, the patient has a 92% cure rate.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for lung cancer vary depending on the stage and type of cancer. These options may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Surgery is often used for localized tumors, while chemotherapy and radiation may be utilized to target cancer that has spread. Advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies offer new hope by specifically attacking cancer cells or boosting the immune system to fight cancer.

Lung Scans

Regular lung scans are particularly useful for early detection, as they can reveal small, early-stage tumors that may not yet be causing symptoms. Individuals with the following risks could benefit from a lung screening:

• Over 50 years of age
• A 20-pack per year smoking history
• If a former smoker, quit sometime in the past 15 years
• Must not have had a CT scan in the past 18 months

Early detection and prevention are crucial in the fight against lung cancer, as catching the disease in its earliest stages significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival. Speak with your primary care physician to learn if a lung scan is right for you. To learn more, visit iuhealth.org/lungscan.