Lung Cancer Awareness Month started with a bang at the Press Conference and Panel Discussions today in the Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club. Two panels of renowned lung cancer experts and advocates discussed scientific breakthroughs, research funding, and advocacy activities. The event was sponsored by the Lung Cancer Action Network (LCAN).
Throughout the month of November LCAN and other advocacy groups hope to raise awareness about the prevalence of lung cancer in all its forms. Most people think of lung cancer as a condition that long-time smokers contract, but in truth, there are many forms of lung cancer, including rare ones, such as neuroendocrine carcinoma tumors. Other diseases, such as carcinoid syndrome, may involve the lungs.
Here are the facts about lung cancer:
- Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer worldwide.
- Approximately 158,000 people in the U.S. will die from lung cancer in 2017.
- Every day, 433 Americans die from lung cancer.
- This year, an estimated 224,390 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed.
- The five-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 18 percent.
- When detected early, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is 55 percent.
- The majority of people with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed.
- Screening people at high risk for lung cancer can dramatically improve survival rates.
- Screening high-risk individuals with low-dose CT scans could reduce lung cancer mortality by 20 percent compared to chest X-ray.
- At least 8.6 million Americans qualify as high risk for lung cancer and are recommended to receive annual screening with low-dose CT scans.
- If half of those at high risk were screened, more than 13,000 deaths could be prevented.
