Lung CancerBy: Mitch Harbaugh, Michelle Roa, Huba Nasir,

Alexandra Ali, Becca Cohen

Common Statistics● Lung cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in both men and women

● Accounts for about 27% of all cancer deaths and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women

● 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 and older, fewer than 2% of cases are found in people younger than 45

● Possibility that a male will get lung cancer in lifetime is 1 in 13, women= 1 in 16

● Nonsmokers have and 20-30% greater chance of developing lung cancer if they are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work

● Active smoking is responsible for 90% lung cancer cases, 10% other causes like radon

● Has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer, over ⅔ of patients are diagnosed when curative treatment is not possible

Detection ● Lung cancer is tough to detect.● Sputum cytology is a detection test, where the patient gives a sample of

mucus and it is looked under the microscope for cancerous cells. ● Chest X-ray is another form of detection. Doctors search for spots on the lungs● CT scan is a non invasive scan of the body, which can also identify masses on

the lungs.● If a nodule is presented on a CT scan, the last form of detection would be a PET

scan, which involves a radioactive substance injected into the body to light up any cancer cells.

Risk FactorsTobacco smoking contributes to 90% of cases (means 90% of cases are preventable)

Risk when around smokers (2nd hand smoke)

Research suggests estrogen helps lung cancer cells spread (why large # of women who don’t smoke get lung cancer)

Prevention How to reduce your risks of lung cancer:

Don’t smoke Stop smokingAvoid secondhand smoke Test your home for radon

radon is a radioactive gas that is tasteless, odorless, colorless Avoid carcinogens

wear masks to avoid exposure of toxic chemicals Eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables Excercise

Treatment4 Basic Treatments:1.Surgery (if caught early)2.Radiation Therapy (advanced stage)3.Chemotherapy 4.Targeted Therapy

http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lung-cancer/treatment-options

Treatment Cont’d...Surgery

“complete removal of the lung tumor and the nearby lymph nodes in chest”Radiation “use of high energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells”Can even damage normals cells so can’t be used to treat large areas of the bodyCT Scans used to lessen the amount of normal lung tissue exposedChemotherapyDrugs are used to destroy cancer cellsStops the ability of cell to grow and dividemostly given by IV injection Not for everyoneTarget Therapytargets cancer’s specific genes and proteins blocks growth and spread of cancer cells

http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lung-cancer/treatment-options