Lung Cancer Awareness with Hattiesburg Clinic Pulmonary Medicine
Lung Cancer Awareness Month is observed each November to increase understanding about the disease and to encourage screenings that can save lives. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is responsible for about 1 in 5 cancer deaths. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, claiming more lives each year than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.
While the statistics may feel frightening, advances in early detection and treatment have improved survival rates. When found early, lung cancer is more treatable which is why proactive screenings are so important.
“One of the most important things patients can do is talk to their doctor about their risk for lung cancer,” L. Wesley Aldred, MD, FACP, FCCP, with Hattiesburg Clinic Pulmonary Medicine said. “Screening gives us the opportunity to detect cancer at its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective.”
Early detection through lung cancer screenings is critical because survival rates drop dramatically as the disease progresses. When lung cancer is found at Stage I, while it is still confined to the lungs, patients have a 5-year survival rate of 60%. However, if the cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes (Stages II and III), survival falls to 33%. By the time lung cancer reaches Stage IV, spreading to distant lymph nodes and other organs, the 5-year survival rate is just 9%. These statistics highlight the life-saving potential of screenings, allowing doctors to identify cancer early, start treatment sooner and give patients the best possible outcomes.
Smoking remains the greatest risk factor for lung cancer, responsible for nearly 85% of all cases. However, nonsmokers can also be at risk due to secondhand smoke, exposure to radon gas, air pollution and family history. Low-dose CT scans are recommended for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a history of smoking. Lung cancer can go undetected until it has affected other areas of the body, but routine screenings for those at risk of lung cancer can detect issues early to help save lives.
“We want patients to know that lung cancer is not just a smoker’s disease. Even individuals who have never smoked should discuss their risk factors with their provider,” explained Dr. Aldred.”
As part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Hattiesburg Clinic reminds patients that lung cancer screenings are available year-round for those who qualify. These screenings are quick, noninvasive and can provide vital information your provider needs to detect cancer early. If you meet the criteria for screening, talk with your primary care physician or contact Hattiesburg Clinic Pulmonary Medicine at (601) 268-5650 for more information.
This November, we encourage you to take action by learning your risk factors, asking your provider if a lung cancer screening is right for you and encouraging your loved ones to do the same. Together, we can make progress toward earlier detection and better outcomes for those affected by lung cancer.
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About Hattiesburg Clinic Pulmonary:
Hattiesburg Clinic Pulmonary Medicine provides prevention, diagnosis, treatment, critical care and rehabilitation of respiratory disorders in the adult patient, including COPD. This includes the diagnosis and management of interstitial lung diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infectious lung disease and occupational lung disease, the treatment of drug-related pulmonary disorders and the diagnosis of carcinoma in suspected patients.
About Hattiesburg Clinic:
Hattiesburg Clinic is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned, multispecialty clinic. Founded in 1963, Hattiesburg Clinic has expanded to include over 450 physicians and providers, along with 2,500 employees, serving patients across more than 17 counties in Mississippi. Hattiesburg Clinic is committed to being the health care provider of choice in the communities we serve.
