November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, according to the Lung Cancer Research Association. An estimated 236,740 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. this year.

The good news is that the number of new lung cancer diagnoses has been declining steadily. From 2009 to 2018, the incidence rate decreased by 2.8% per year in men and 1.4% in women.

While smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, people who have never smoked account for 20% of lung cancer deaths. Other risk factors include exposure to radon, asbestos and secondhand smoke.

Common symptoms of lung cancer

The Lung Cancer Research Association uses the word “breathe” as an aid to remembering the common symptoms of lung cancer:

B – Blood when you cough or spit
R – Recurring respiratory infections
E – Enduring cough that is new or different
A – Ache or pain in shoulder, back or chest
T – Trouble breathing
H – Hoarseness or wheezing
E – Exhaustion, weakness or loss of appetite

We recommend that our members see their doctor if they experience any of those symptoms.

MQIC guidelines

According to the Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium, people ages 50 to 80 who have a 20-pack-a-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years should be screened annually with a low-dose CT scan. Screening should be discontinued once the person has been smoke-free for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery.

For more information on recommended screenings for lung cancer and other conditions for people age 50 and older, see MQIC’s Adult Preventive Services document.