11-3-09

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer and the leading cancer killer in the United States.  It is responsible for nearly one third of cancer deaths.

Lung cancer is increasing in this country, especially among women.  More than 160,000 Americans are expected to die from lung cancer this year.  Dr. Peter White, professor of pulmonary medicine at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains risk factors for lung cancer.

SOUND BITE:  “The primary cause of lung cancer in the United States and the developed countries is obviously cigarette smoking and tobacco.  It’s responsible for roughly 90 percent of lung cancer in men and on the order of 97 percent of lung cancer in women.”

Dr. White, who also is a member of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU, says other risk factors include exposure to asbestos or radon, environmental factors and secondhand smoke.   He says there is no widely-used screening tool for lung cancer, so most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, usually by a chest X-ray.  He explains some of the symptoms.

SOUND BITE:  TR 1 (1:17 – 1:39)  “The symptoms of lung cancer are unfortunately not specific and they primarily relate to the effects of the tumor and cough, particularly a new cough or change in a chronic cough, coughing up blood.  Typically it’s not large amounts of blood, chest pain, shortness of breath.”

Dr. White encourages people to stop smoking to lower their risk of lung cancer.  If you or someone you know has a persistent cough and chest pain, a personal physician can provide a thorough exam or make a referral to a pulmonary specialist for further testing.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.