Doctors analysing radiological chest x-ray film during CODIV-19 pandemic
CHICAGO – Lung cancer accounts for approximately 25% of all cancer-related deaths in the United States, making it the deadliest form of cancer among Americans. However, a new era of hope is emerging, fueled by advancements in early detection, surgical precision, and personalized therapies.
This progress is driven by three pivotal developments: the increasing adoption of early screening, refined surgical techniques, and personalized therapies that target specific cancer profiles. Experts from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) are highlighting these advancements during Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Screening: A Lifesaving Yet Underutilized Tool
The introduction of lung cancer screening through low-dose CT scans has been transformative, shifting diagnoses to earlier, more treatable stages. According to the National Cancer Institute, screening can reduce deaths by up to 20%. Current guidelines recommend that adults aged 50 or older who currently smoke or have smoked in the past consult their primary care provider about annual screening.
Despite these recommendations, only 16% of eligible patients underwent screening in 2022, leading to thousands of preventable deaths.
“Lung cancer screening is the most powerful tool to reduce deaths from lung cancer to happen in my lifetime,” said Daniel J. Boffa, MD, MBA, FACS, Vice Chair of the ACS Commission on Cancer and division chief of thoracic surgery at Yale School of Medicine. “Screening with a CT scan, which takes just a few minutes, allows cancer to be found at an earlier stage, when treatments are easier on patients and more likely to cure patients.”
While screening is primarily recommended for individuals with a history of smoking, experts note that up to 20% of lung cancer cases occur in people who have never smoked.
“It’s important to know the risks and symptoms of lung cancer. Look out for a persistent cough, one associated with chest pain, or coughing up blood,” Dr. Boffa advised.
Dr. Boffa also highlighted other risk factors for non-smokers, including significant past exposure to radon, asbestos, or smoke from cooking and wildfires, as well as a family history of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Surgical Precision: Transforming Treatment Outcomes
For early-stage lung cancer, surgery remains the gold standard for a cure. The field has evolved dramatically, moving away from large, open incisions to minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic-assisted surgery.
“These advanced techniques allow us to remove the cancer with unparalleled precision through several small incisions,” said David Tom Cooke, MD, FACS, MAMSE, a professor and founding chief of the Division of General Thoracic Surgery at UC Davis, and a member of the ACS Patient Education Committee. “This approach results in less pain after surgery, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to normal life for our patients.”
Personalized Therapies: A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment
Beyond surgery, biomarker testing and targeted therapies have revolutionized the treatment landscape for lung cancer. By analyzing a tumor’s genetic makeup, doctors can identify specific mutations and use targeted drugs or immunotherapy to attack cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
“We are no longer treating all lung cancers the same way. With specific biomarker testing and targeted therapy, we’re seeing survival extend to years, even for late-stage cancers,” said Ian C. Bostock, MD, MS, FACS, a thoracic surgeon at the Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute and an associate professor of surgery at Florida International University.
The Role of Smoking Cessation in Prevention and Treatment
While treatment advances are saving lives, quitting smoking remains the single most effective step to prevent lung cancer. The benefits are also significant for patients already diagnosed with lung cancer, as quitting smoking is associated with better treatment outcomes, fewer complications, and can add up to 1.8 years of survival.
“Quitting smoking is hard work, but the health benefits are worth it,” Dr. Boffa added. “There have never been better tools and support to help people quit.”
Initiatives such as the ACS Just ASK and Beyond ASK quality improvement projects aim to increase access to empathetic smoking cessation resources.
As Lung Cancer Awareness Month continues, resources for the public and journalists on lung cancer awareness and treatment are available at www.facs.org/lungcancer.
