November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Few people realize that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Canada.

Over 20,000 Canadians die of lung cancer every year—more than the next four leading cancers (breast, prostate, colon and pancreas cancers) combined. In the fight against lung cancer, one of the greatest challenges is educating the public about this serious disease.

Why do we know less about lung cancer? Lung Cancer Canada points out one sobering fact: there are fewer survivors to speak out and raise awareness. In addition, many people who have been diagnosed with lung cancer feel stigmatized. A recent study from the Lung Association showed that many Canadians "feel less sympathetic towards lung cancer sufferers because of its known association with smoking cigarettes."

But self-blame and denial can mean that lung cancer isn't diagnosed until late in the disease, when treatment is less effective and the disease may have spread to other parts of the body.  Dr. Gregory Kalemkerian of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center provided a list of important facts to know about lung cancer:

1. For smokers, the symptoms are familiar. Coughing, shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue and coughing up blood are often the first symptoms of the early stages of the disease. "The biggest problem is that most people are diagnosed late, because early stage symptoms are common to smokers," said Kalemkerian.
   
   
2. Late diagnoses make it deadly. Most people seek treatment only after experiencing symptoms that are associated with spread of the disease, such as chest pain, weakness in a limb or bone pain. In fact, three-fourths of people with lung cancer are diagnosed with advanced forms of the disease.
   
   
3. There is an easy way to lower the risk. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. About 90% of those with the disease are or were smokers. A two-pack-a-day habit for 30 years leads to a 30-fold to 40-fold increase in risk versus a non-smoker.
   
   
4. Lung cancer patients and survivors feel stigmatized. "Unlike breast and prostate cancer, there is a significant lack of survivor advocacy," Kalemkerian said. This is due in part to the high mortality rate but also because of the stigma that most patients brought it on themselves by smoking. "Many of my patients feel guilty that they have done this, not only to themselves, but to their families," Kalemkerian said. 
   
   
5. Smoking is the easiest way to get lung cancer, but not the only way. Exposure to radon, asbestos and hydrocarbons also raise one's risk of developing this type of cancer. Some cases have no explainable cause. But 90% of cases are caused directly by smoking.
   
   
6. It is complicated to treat. "Smokers, in particular, have had phenomenal exposure to carcinogens, the substances that cause mutations in cells and lead to the development of cancer," Kalemkerian said. This makes the disease harder to treat and more deadly.
   
   
7. Testing for lung cancer is difficult. "We have yet to identify a screening test that has impacted mortality rates, but we are working on it," Kalemkerian said. More conclusive data should be available in the coming years, which researchers hope will produce a more effective test to catch the cancer earlier and save more lives.
   
   
8. It is a worldwide killer. Worldwide, 1.2 million people per year will die from the disease, and diagnoses are rapidly increasing. Sharp increases are being seen particularly in developing countries as tobacco products become increasingly available in these regions.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, research is underway to find new and better ways to treat lung cancer and improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with this disease. Increasing awareness of the symptoms allows for earlier diagnosis and the most hopeful outcome. And continuing promotion of smoking cessation programs is still the most effective step to prevention.

For More Information

Lung Cancer Canada offers information for consumers and family caregivers about lung cancer prevention, diagnosis and care.

The Lung Association has information about lung cancer and other lung disease.

Visit the Canadian Cancer Society website for extensive information on treatment and support for those diagnosed with lung cancer.