Hot Topics in Lung Cancer

Below are some quick facts about lung cancer:

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the second most diagnosed cancer in men and women in the U.S.
• Lung cancers are usually grouped into two main types: small cell and non-small cell (including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), with non-small cell lung cancer being more common than small cell.
• Symptoms of lung cancer typically occur after the disease is advanced.
• Doctors can diagnose the disease on a molecular level.
• While cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, around one-third of deaths from lung cancer are due to tobacco use, high BMI, alcohol use, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.
• Biomarker testing can be a critically important way to guide treatment discussions with patients who have been diagnosed with lung cancer.

References

• Biomarker Testing. https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/navigating-your-diagnosis/biomarker-testing. Accessed December 17, 2021.
• Byers LA, et al. Cancer. 2014;doi:10.1002/cncr.29098.
• CDC. Basic Information About Lung Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.
• CDC. What Is Lung Cancer? https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/what-is-lung-cancer.htm. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.
• Lung Cancer Genomic Testing (EGFR, KRAS, ALK). https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/lung/diagnosis/genetic-testing. Accessed December 17, 2021.
• Mayo Clinic. Lung cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.
• MD Anderson Cancer Center. Lung Cancer. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancer-types/lung-cancer.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.
• Navigating Biomarker Testing: Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/symptoms-diagnosis/biomarker-testing/biomarker-faqs. Accessed December 17, 2021.
• NIH. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment — Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/patient/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.
• The Genetics of Cancer. https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/genetics/genetics-cancer. Accessed December 17, 2021.
• WHO. Cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.