The Best Lung Cancer Advice: Be Early To The Game

Let’s face it, we’re not always punctual. Sometimes we sleep in or lose track of time. Sometimes life just gets in the way. But when it comes to lung cancer, you don’t want to be late to the game.

Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer deaths, and adults in Indiana  have a higher death rate from lung cancer than the national average. While cancer survivability continues to improve for cancers such as breast, colorectal and prostate, lung cancer remains deadlier than all of these cancers combined.

Lung cancer experts at Franciscan Health want you to know that prevention strategies, recent advancements in treatments and technology, and receiving a timely diagnosis are key to improving lung cancer outcomes. 

Key Takeaways: Lung Cancer Prevention & Screening

• Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths and is deadlier than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers combined, with less than 10% of patients surviving when the disease is detected late — making early detection critically important.
• More than 80% of lung cancer deaths are linked to smoking, but quitting at any point can make a meaningful difference — those who stop smoking could reduce their lung cancer risk by up to 50%, as damaged lung tissue can begin to repair itself before cancer has a chance to develop.
• Current and former smokers are strongly encouraged to pursue lung cancer screening, as early detection through advanced diagnostic tools is rapidly changing outcomes for patients.
• Franciscan Health has invested in cutting-edge technology to support early lung cancer detection and treatment, including being the first hospital in Indiana to introduce the Ion Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy platform. 

Get Ahead of the Game By Quitting Smoking

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 80% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. Giovanni Infusino, MD, Franciscan Physician Network pulmonologist in Crown Point, Indiana, says, “Despite the grave lung cancer statistics, Indiana continues to rank in the top 10 states with the most smokers. While we understand it’s hard, it’s truly never too late to quit smoking, because the damaged lung tissue can begin to repair before lung cancer has a chance to develop.”

Because the majority of lung cancers are caused by smoking, one of the simplest ways you can get ahead of the game is by quitting the pack. Those that stop smoking could reduce their risk of lung cancer by up to 50%.    

Lung Cancer Game-Changers

Lung cancer care is rapidly changing thanks to early detection. Franciscan Health is proud to provide game-changing technologies with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.

Franciscan Health doctors used the latest technology in robotic bronchoscopy to assist lung cancer patients. Guided by a physician, robotic bronchoscopy technology allows an ultra-thin catheter with a camera attached to pass through the airways to deeper areas of the lung than traditional needle biopsies, which often miss early cancer diagnoses.

“The technology is hand-held and physician-guided, allowing us to obtain tissue samples from deep within the lungs, leading to an earlier stage diagnosis. Lung biopsies can be tricky because the airways are often delicate and difficult to navigate," said Jason Fitzgerald, MD, chief of robotic thoracic surgery at Franciscan Health Burrell Cancer Center Crown Point. "But with the Ion robot, we’re getting in safely and a lot sooner, when the lung cancer hasn’t spread and could be curable with a robotic resection. In fact, it’s like we’re a one-stop shop now – it’s all done in one setting.”

Franciscan Health offers robotic bronchoscopy in  Lafayette, Michigan City, Indianapolis and Munster.

Name of the Game: Early Detection

Lung cancer in its earliest stages doesn’t often produce symptoms. Most patients are diagnosed in later stages after experiencing symptoms like a persistent cough, hoarseness, loss of appetite or losing weight, coughing up blood or sputum (spit or phlegm) or recurring infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

When lung cancer is found in the earliest stage (stage 1A lung cancer), the chance of surviving lung cancer could be up to 90%. For this reason, smokers and former smokers over the age of 50 usually qualify for a lung cancer screening and are encouraged to seek early detection.

“Current and former smokers should consider a lung cancer screening,” urged Michael Tuchek, DO, thoracic surgeon at Franciscan Health Burrell Cancer Center Crown Point. “Less than 10 percent of lung cancer patients survive if detected in late stages. This doesn’t need to be. We have the capabilities to detect it sooner and it’s advantageous to do so. If we find a suspicious mass within the lung, we can immediately schedule a biopsy and get you on a path to treatment and healing.”

Lung Cancer Awareness: The Game is Up!

Thanks to progress in medicine, lung cancer deaths are expected to decline. This is thanks to minimally invasive surgery options (over invasive open surgery with higher risk for complications), advanced genomic/molecular testing to determine a personalized treatment approach, immunotherapy using the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells, precision-targeted radiation therapy and early detection lung cancer screenings or biopsies. However, keep your head in the game…be aware of certain lifestyle risk factors contributing to your risk for developing lung cancer.

Dr. Infusino reiterates, “And if you qualify, get screened as soon as possible. It could save your life.”