Trending
A recent survey conducted by the American Lung Association shows that many people don't know that a potentially lifesaving lung screening test is available.
The 2022 Lung Health Barometer surveyed 4,000 Americans nationwide about lung cancer. Key findings from the survey include:
Only about one in four respondents (26%) were aware that the lung cancer survival rate increased by over 30% in the past 10 years;
73% of adults have not spoken with their doctor about their risk for lung cancer and only 40% are concerned they might get the disease;
Only 29% of Americans know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the U.S; and
Nearly 70% of respondents were not familiar with the availability of lung cancer screening for early detection of the disease.
WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital's new lung cancer screening program, which uses a low-dose CT to look for potential nodules in a patient’s lungs, has been up and running for about 10 months.
Since that time 366 people have taken advantage of the screening, said Dr. Robert Herron, a thoracic surgeon at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at Wheeling Hospital. Herron is pleased with the number of people who have been screened to date since it is a new program.
To be eligible, one must be between 50 and 80 years old, having smoked for 30 years or have quit in the last 15 years. Herron said the hospital has been working hard to get the word out to the public and local physicians about the program so they can determine if their patients are eligible.
If a nodule is detected, Herron said he conducts a robotic assisted bronchoscopy to obtain a biopsy sample. He said this method is much less invasive for patients. The hospital also conducts robotic assisted lung surgeries for cancer patients as well. Doing so means less time in the hospital and a quicker recovery time at home.
"Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in men and women," he said.
He noted the biggest risk factor is smoking and unfortunately a lot of Ohio Valley residents still smoke. Herron noted in his practice he refers patients to a smoking cessation program daily. What many people may not realize is that if lung cancer is caught early, in Stage 1, the cure rate with surgery is 90%. If someone does not have the lung capacity to undergo surgery, the cure rate for a Stage 1 lung cancer with other treatment such as radiation is 85%, he said.
For those who have lived with a long-time smoker, Herron said there is no evidence yet that low-dose CT screenings are necessary for the person exposed to secondhand smoke.
Herron was somewhat surprised by the ALA's survey regarding people's knowledge about lung cancer leading all cancer deaths.
"I thought it would be more widely known. I thought half would know," he said.
He conceded, however, that other cancers, though still warranted, do receive much more attention like breast cancer and prostate cancer.
The ALA notes in West Virginia that it is estimated 2,050 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and 1,190 will die from it. However, because of new screenings and education, the survival rate has increased substantially.
"One of the most impactful things we can do in West Virginia is to raise awareness about lifesaving lung cancer screening. Currently, only 4% of residents at high risk for lung cancer have received a low-dose CT scan lung cancer screening," said Lance Boucher, AVP, State Public Policy, at the Lung Association. "Lung cancer screening is key to early diagnosis, and early diagnosis saves lives."
Studies have shown that such lung screenings can lead to a 20% decrease in mortality for people with lung cancer.
Herron said it is common with a new screening program to have a wide range of patients at different stages of a disease. He noted with the low-dose CT for lung cancer screenings at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital they have seen a fair number of patients with nodules and some patients with evidence of widespread cancer. He noted what makes the early screening important is that early stage lung cancer typically does not have any symptoms for people to notice.