Lung Cancer Prevention and Facts
Cancer is the most curable in its early stages.
At the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, we know that routine screenings save lives every day. Advocate for your health and talk with a health care professional to make an informed decision on which screenings are right for you.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States. More people die from lung cancer than from colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. Each year more than 222,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and more than 157,000 people will die from the disease.
What is lung cancer?
- Lung cancer is the growth of cancer cells in the lungs.
- The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer (the most common) and small cell lung cancer.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States.
- More people die from lung cancer than from colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.
Who can get lung cancer?
- Smoking causes 80-90 percent of lung cancer.
- Tobacco contains at least 60 cancer-causing substances.
- Men and women who smoke are 23 percent and 13 percent, respectively, more likely to get lung cancer than someone who never smoked.
- The longer you smoke and the more packs a day you smoke increase the risk of getting lung cancer.
- Second-hand smoke (breathing in someone else’s smoke) increases the risk of getting lung cancer.
Symptoms of lung cancer
Early lung cancer does not have any symptoms. The earlier lung cancer is found, the greater the chance of survival. It is important to see your health care provider if you have:
- A cough that doesn’t go away
- A cough that causes you to bring up blood
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness
- Chest pain
- Swelling of the face and neck
- Arm pain or weakness
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
Who should be screened for lung cancer?
Early detection of lung cancer increases the chance for successful treatment. Screening for cancer is done with low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT scan). CT scans use low doses of radiation to take detailed pictures of the lungs. Positron emission (PET) scans may be used to look for the spread of cancer. The lung cancer specialists at Karmanos recommend screening for:
- Individuals between the ages of 55 and 80
- Current or former smokers with at least a 30 pack-year smoking history
- Individuals who have smoked one pack a day for 30 years
- Individuals who have smoked 2 packs a day for 15 years
To make an appointment or to ask questions about lung cancer screening, call 855-527-LUNG (5864).
Help to quit smoking
Call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) for FREE information and referral services to Michigan residents who are ready to quit smoking. Call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or click here;for additional information on quitting and classes available to help you quit.
This information is intended to serve as a guideline only. Screening needs vary for each individual depending on your overall cancer risk. Please consult with a health care professional to decide which screenings are right for you and to make an informed decision.
More Information
If you would like to learn more about any of these topics call the Patient & Community Education department at 1-800-527-6266.