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172,570 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in 2005 (13% of all new cancer cases).
163,510 Americans died in 2005 from lung cancer (28% of all cancer deaths).
The incidence of lung cancer is decreasing in men but increasing in women.
Between 1960 and 1990, deaths from lung cancer among women increased by more than 400%.
Women are 1.5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than men with the same smoking habits.
Incidence and mortality rates are higher for African Americans than white Americans.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among African- American men and women, and
Lung cancer kills more African Americans than any other cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of all lung cancers.
87% of lung cancers are related to smoking.
90% of new smokers begin as teenagers. One-third of these new smokers will eventually die of tobacco-related diseases.
At Martha Jefferson Hospital, a multidisciplinary approach to the lung cancer patient has been implemented. Anatomic and clinical pathology provide the core of timely diagnosis, staging and treatment of patients. State-of-the-art imaging services, such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, PET scan and angiography provide the support needed to evaluate these patients. Multi-modality treatment stems from excellent medical and radiation oncology services. Sophisticated 3-D conformal therapy allows radiation oncologists to plan optimal therapy to the tumor and spare surrounding tissue. Excellent medical oncologists specialize in systemic treatment of lung cancer using current standards of chemotherapy. A dedicated inpatient oncology unit and outpatient infusion centers offer patients compassionate care by oncology-certified nurses. Aggressive thoracic oncologic surgery is now offered at Martha Jefferson Hospital as well.
Physicians involved in the care of lung cancer patients have many more resources from which to draw at Martha Jefferson. The Martha Jefferson Cancer Registry, maintained by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, allows physicians to have access to state and regional databases on cancer studies and clinical trials. The Cancer Resource Center maintains a wide range of books, pamphlets and videos geared toward patient education. Complementary therapies are also available, including exercise, yoga and relaxation classes, therapeutic massage, and support groups. A full-time chaplain can provide spiritual support through the diagnosis and treatment phases. Cancer prevention programs are offered, including screening and smoking cessation programs.
Exciting new treatments for lung cancer are continually being explored. The most important intervention is still prevention - especially smoking cessation. Better screening tools are necessary, and screening CT is certainly promising. At this time, refinements in surgery, systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy offer our current standards of care for these patients. Martha Jefferson Hospital will remain on the cutting edge of these advances, providing the best possible care for lung cancer patients in Central Virginia.