Stories of surviving lung cancer take center stage during National Women’s Lung Health Week
Screening and new treatments give hope in the fight against the #1 cancer killer of women
The week leading up to Mother’s Day is National Women’s Lung Health Week, a reminder for our mothers, wives, sisters, and friends to take care of their own health as well as taking care of others. The Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) reminds women that the number one cause of women’s cancer death is actually lung cancer, killing twice as many women as breast cancer.
“Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in America and the rest of the world, but one that is often underserved in terms of funding and interest. But there is hope! In the past two years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved twice as many new therapies for lung cancer patients than in the last ten years!” says Kim Norris, LCFA President and Co-Founder.
There are many reasons to be hopeful in the face of a lung cancer diagnosis: amazing advances in lung cancer treatments are helping change the prognosis for many patients. Researchers have identified unique targets on a patient's lung cancer tumor and are developing targeted therapies to treat them – treatments that weren’t available 5-10 years ago and have changed the way lung cancer is treated in many patients.
Even more recently, immunotherapy treatments are now available which use a patient’s own immune system to stop the growth of cancer cells. The key is for patients to get their tumor tested so doctors can determine the best personalized treatment plan, which may also include targeted therapies, chemotherapy and radiation.
“When I was diagnosed I only had a 2 percent chance of living 5 years and here I am. I am a mom with 2 kids and I want people to know that with research and new treatments, there is hope,” says 5-year lung cancer survivor Lysa Buonanno.
It’s incredibly important for lung cancer to be caught early. Everyone is encouraged to consider lung cancer screening if you:
- Are over the age of 55 and smoked a several packs a day over ten years
- Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years
- Have a family history of lung cancer
Researchers are working on new lung cancer breakthroughs and Lung Cancer Foundation of America works to fund research for these lifesaving treatments. LCFA reminds us all to appreciate the little things your lungs allow you to do: life should take your breath away, not lung cancer.