Smoker or Former Smoker? Here Are 4 Key Things You Need to Know

MONDAY, Dec.2, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Doctors have potent new weapons against the deadliest cancer in America and they want to make sure they're on the radar of current and former smokers.

"Lung cancer screening is the most powerful tool we have to lower cancer [deaths]," said Dr. Timothy Mullett, medical director of the Markey Cancer Center Network and immediate past chairman of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer. 

"Early-stage cancer is more treatable and at a lower cost than late-stage disease, and patients are more likely to get back to work," he noted.

To mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) is highlighting the importance of smoking cessation in preventing lung cancer and sharing insights about screening and the impact of biomarker testing.

Get screened

While early detection saves lives, only about 6% of eligible patients are screened regularly. A low-dose CT scan is recommended for adults between the ages of 50 and 80 who have a 20-pack-year smoking history. That's equivalent to smoking a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10. The scan takes just a few minutes.

"If you're eligible, talk to your doctor about getting screened," Dr. Luis Armando Godoy, of UC Davis Health, advised in an ACS news release.

Treatment advances

Advances in personalized therapies offer hope even when cancer is in a late stage, the doctors said. Targeted therapies, for example, destroy cancer cells without harming healthy ones -- a big step in extending life expectancy and quality of life for lung cancer patients.

Biomarker testing

By examining specific biomarkers, doctors are able to zero in on specific mutations in a lung tumor and tailor treatments for individual patients. 

"With specific biomarker testing and targeted therapy, we're seeing survival extend to four years, even for late-stage cancers," Mullett said. "That's a lot of birthdays, grandchildren and moments in your life that you might have an opportunity to experience."

Quit smoking

You've heard it before: Smoking cessation significantly lowers lung cancer risk and can even boost the effectiveness of treatments in those already diagnosed. For some patients, that can extend life by up to 1.8 years.

"Quitting smoking is hard work, but the health benefits are worth it," Mullett noted.

Programs like Just ASK and Beyond ASK offer practical strategies to give up tobacco. Patients should not be afraid to talk to their health care provider to learn more, the doctors said.

"Patients deserve accessible and judgment-free resources to help them quit," Godoy said.

More information

There's more about lung cancer screening at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE: American College of Surgeons, news release, Nov. 19, 2024