lung cancer information :: Article CreatorMore People Surviving Lung Cancer, But Work Remains In Screening And Biomarker Testing
The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% in the last five years, according to the American Lung Association's annual State of Lung Cancer report, published Tuesday.
But much work remains to get eligible people screened for lung cancer and expand affordable access to targeted treatments made possible by biomarker testing.
Close to 235,000 people in the U.S. Will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, a cancer type with only a 28% five-year survival rate.
"The most common cause of death from cancer is from lung cancer," said Dr. Jamie Garfield, a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association. "Far more than breast, prostate, colorectal, all of those combined."
Yet just 16% of eligible people get screened for lung cancer, far lower than screening rates for colorectal or breast cancer.
"So, if you smoked a pack a day for 20 years, you qualify for screening for lung cancer," Garfield said. "If you smoked half a pack a day for 40 years, that also qualifies."
Many insurance companies didn't routinely pay for lung cancer screenings, but that has changed, Garfield said. Now, a lack of awareness is the primary hurdle to getting more people screened.
That's part of the mission of the American Lung Association's annual report. The screenings consist of annual low-dose CT scans. Only about 27% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage, when the five-year survival rate is much higher at 64%.
There are genetic causes for lung cancer, but Garfield said tobacco and tobacco-related products account for the vast majority of cases. She said more people who are still struggling with tobacco use disorder are now willing to come in for screening.
"We had to divorce the shame of tobacco product use from the diagnosis of lung cancer, and I think that's work that still needs to be done," Garfield said.
Another focus of this year's report was on biomarker testing. Surgery is an option when the cancer is isolated to one part of the lung.
Chemotherapy is usually offered when the cancer spreads, but Garfield said the harshness of chemotherapy can dissuade people from receiving treatment.
Chemotherapy kills tumor cells, which are rapidly growing, but it also kills healthy cells in the body. Patients can suffer powerful side effects, such as hair loss and stomach issues.
Biomarker testing reveals information about the tumor biology that couldn't have been discovered five or 10 years ago, Garfield said. And drugs exist that target a very specific genetic mutation in some tumors. The medication would only kill those tumor cells, not the healthy cells in the body.
But biomarker testing is cost-prohibitive for many patients. Only 15 states require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. Five states require some plans to cover testing, and 30 states and Washington, D.C., have yet to require any coverage of biomarker testing, according to the American Lung Association.
Garfield said state leaders have the power to improve coverage of biomarker testing for their residents.
"Biomarker testing has absolutely revolutionized the way we treat lung cancer," she said.
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Lung Cancer: Raising The Alarm
Author: Dr Minish Jain, Senior Medical Oncologist, PuneNew Delhi: In the human chest, there are two remarkable sponge-like organs known as the lungs. When cancer begins its journey in these vital organs, it is referred to as lung cancer. This particular type of cancer stands out as the most prevalent globally and is the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities.
Recent global data reveals that in 2022, nearly 2.5 million individuals received a lung cancer diagnosis, while over 1.8 million tragically lost their lives to this disease. Such statistics remind us of the importance of awareness and proactive health measures in our communities.
Lung Cancer: Risk FactorsThe significant impact of lung cancer often masks a crucial truth: the majority of cases can be prevented. Tobacco smoking stands out as the leading risk factor, accounting for about 85% of cases, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, various other contributors, such as second-hand smoke, outdoor and indoor air pollution, diesel exhaust, welding fumes, and asbestos, play their part in this serious health challenge.
Identifying the Signs of Lung Cancer: A crucial step for early awarenessHere are some of the key indicators that may suggest the presence of lung cancer:
A persistent cough that intensifies Coughing up blood or rusty-colored mucus Discomfort in the chest that worsens with deep breaths, coughing, or laughter Changes in voice Decreased appetite Unexplained weight loss Difficulty breathing Persistent fatigue or weakness Recurring respiratory infections, such as pneumonia The sudden development of wheezing These symptoms warrant careful consideration and timely consultation with a doctor.
Unraveling the complexities of Lung Cancer detectionThe doctor will take a moment to investigate an individual's medical background, seeking insights into the symptoms and potential risk factors. They will conduct a thorough examination to identify any indicators of lung cancer or other health issues. Should the medical history and physical assessment raise any concerns about lung cancer, further evaluations will be pursued. This may involve advanced imaging techniques such as chest X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans, as well as lung biopsies, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the individual's health.
Biomarkers: Playing a pivotal role in treatment personalisationCurrently, just 16% of lung cancer patients survive five years post-diagnosis, largely due to late detection, which hinders our ability to enhance outcomes. To combat this challenge, there's a pressing need for innovative diagnostic tools that enable earlier identification of lung cancer, paving the way for timely interventions and ultimately reducing mortality rates.
Cancer biomarkers, distinct molecules that differentiate between healthy and cancerous states, have the potential to lead to the creation of a more effective diagnostic tool for lung cancer. These biomarkers can include proteins, genetic material like DNA, RNA, and lipids.
For patients already diagnosed with lung cancer, comprehensive biomarker testing is a critical step in precision medicine, ensuring that each patient receives a tailored treatment plan matched to their unique biomarker profile, maximizing the potential for effective outcomes at the optimal moment.
Tissue Biopsies: Tissue collection techniques include bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, mediastinoscopy, etc. Once the tumor tissue is collected, it is forwarded to a laboratory for analysis, with the goal of conducting thorough biomarker testing. Liquid Biopsies: A blood sample is analyzed in the laboratory for the presence of driver mutations. Evolving landscape in Lung Cancer management Lung cancer treatment strategies are tailored to the specific cancer type, its extent of spread, and the patient's medical background. As many patients present with advanced stages of the disease, traditional approaches such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often fall short of achieving complete cures, though they can enhance survival rates and alleviate symptoms.
In this evolving landscape, innovative therapies like targeted treatments and immunotherapies, particularly monoclonal antibodies, have shown remarkable potential. These groundbreaking options, whether used independently or in conjunction with existing therapies, have garnered FDA approval as first-line treatments for lung cancer, marking a significant shift from conventional methods.
The challenge is substantialOver the last ten years, significant advancements in research have improved survival rates for lung cancer, yet the challenge remains substantial. This disease impacts countless lives, extending its reach to everyone connected to those affected. It's time for us to reinvigorate our commitment to finding a cure and to motivate others to join us in this vital mission.
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Published On Dec 2, 2024 at 04:52 PM IST
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Grandma-of-10 Died After 'doctors Took Four Years To Discover The True Cause Of Her Persistent Cough'
DEVASTATED daughters have blasted a private health provider over "catastrophic" failings after it took years for the true cause of their mum's persistent cough to be found.
Margaret Jones had a CT scan in February 2019 showing cause for concern in her right lung.
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Margaret Jones with her grandchildrenCredit: SWNS
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The gran passed away in August after lung cancer spread to her brain and bonesCredit: SWNS
But it wasn't until December 2023 that the gran-of-ten was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Her daughters say that, by the time she was told, the cancer had spread to her brain and bones - ultimately causing her death in August 2024, aged 76.
But they claim if health providers GenesisCare had acted sooner, their mum might still be alive today.
Lawyers have now been instructed over Margaret's death.
Her daughter Karen said: "We are so angry, devastated, and absolutely lost without our mum.
"She was the centre of our world, and to lose her in such a preventable way, and to know her cancer was treatable, has destroyed our whole world.
"This need not have happened.
"Mum put her absolute faith in the medical profession; she would never have doubted what the professionals told her.
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"But what has happened here is a catastrophic failure, and was utterly devastating for her to find out about."
Her other daughter, Sarah, added: "Mum didn't want this to happen to anyone else, so we as a family are speaking out in the hope we can stop this happening again, to save even one more family being torn apart as we have been."
I'm a doctor and these 5 changes could be a sign of deadly lung cancer
Margaret, who also had a son, was referred to GenesisCare, an oncology treatment provider, by Spire Hospital Portsmouth, where she paid privately for her care.
She then had a preparatory CT scan ahead of a course of radiotherapy she was due to undergo for already-diagnosed breast cancer - which identified an area of concern in her upper right lung.
However, this was not escalated to Margaret's oncologist, it is claimed.
In 2022, Margaret, from Fareham, had an NHS chest X ray after suffering a continuous cough.
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Margaret was finally diagnosed with lung cancer after lost weight and lacked appetiteCredit: SWNS
At the time, the results came back "clear" - but it was later revealed that the tumour was visible on this scan too.
She was finally diagnosed in December 2023 when she returned to seek medical attention after experiencing weight loss and a lack of appetite.
It was then that she received her diagnosis - and doctors disclosed that her cancer could have been caught earlier.
GenesisCare, which has referred itself to the CQC over its role in the case, is carrying out an internal investigation into what happened.
However, lawyers for Margaret's family claim this has been disrupted due to a lack of an audit trail, missing medical records, and missing emails.
Karen said: "I don't know how an organisation can operate without an audit trail, particularly one that deals in life or death information.
Our mum was absolutely everything to us, she was amazing, and her grandchildren cannot understand that they will never see her again
SarahMargaret's daughter
"This way of working is not fit for purpose. They have fundamentally failed our mum.
"The failures are just so basic.
"When you're passing on information of this kind of importance, you request an email read receipt, to make sure it has been passed on.
"The continuity of information is absolutely critical in situations like this.
"Without proper processes in place, this could absolutely happen again, and that is really terrifying for us.
"We need proper answers so we can fix the root cause of what happened here."
WHAT IS LUNG CANCER?
LUNG cancer is the most deadly common cancer in the UK.
It is considered a common cancer alongside prostate, breast and bowel, which together make up more than half of all new cases.
Around 49,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year and 35,000 die from it.
Just one in 10 patients survive for a decade or more after being diagnosed and lung tumours make up 21 per cent of cancer deaths in the UK but only 13 per cent of cases.
The main reason that it is so deadly is that symptoms are not obvious in the early stages.
When signs do appear they may include:
A cough that lasts three weeks or more, and may hurt Repeated chest infections Coughing up blood Breathlessness Unusual tiredness The NHS does not routinely screen for lung cancer but is rolling out more tests to smokers and ex-smokers at high risk, in a bid to catch it earlier. Testing may involve X-rays and chest CT scans.
Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer and accounts for about 70 per cent of cases.
Risk may also be higher for people who have inhaled other fumes or toxic substances at work, such as asbestos, coal smoke or silica.
Sarah added: "We asked to see her medical records, and this showed us it had been the case.
"As a family, we really want more people to be aware they can ask for their medical records and see copies of their scans.
"Of course if proper processes are in place you shouldn't have to do this, but we want people to ask for a second opinion if they have concerns, and not to be afraid to do so.
"Our family will never recover from what has happened to us.
"Our mum was absolutely everything to us, she was amazing, and her grandchildren cannot understand that they will never see her again.
"When the doorbell rings, my youngest child asks, 'is that nanny?' It's completely devastating."
Margaret's family are being supported by law firm Slater and Gordon.
Nicole Jackson, associate and clinical negligence specialist, said: "This is an absolutely shocking failure of process which has had the most tragic consequences.
"Margaret's family are struggling to comprehend what went wrong, and have to live with the knowledge that had the tumour been acted upon, their mother would most probably still be here with them today.
"There are many questions to answer here, and we will support them in finding the truth.
"It is vital that we establish how these failings were allowed to occur and what lessons must be learned, to support the family in ensuring this never happens again."
A spokesperson for GenesisCare said: "We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Margaret Jones.
"The circumstances surrounding the passing of Margaret remain under investigation to identify any failings and ensure lessons are learned where required.
"Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any further comment at this time as legal proceedings have been intimated and the matter is in the hands of lawyers."
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