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. While cancer survivability continues to improve for cancers such as breast, colorectal and prostate, lung cancer is 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. 

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 and advanced treatments for cancerous lung tumors.

“Franciscan Health is thrilled to be the first hospital in Indiana to introduce the Ion Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy platform,” says Jason Fitzgerald, MD, Chief of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at Franciscan Health Burrell Cancer Center Crown Point. “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. 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.”

Now available in Crown Point and Michigan City, learn more about this revolutionary platform for lung cancer biopsies and surgeries. Franciscan Health also offers robotic bronchoscopy in 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, at-risk patients 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.”