Common questions about lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The good news is that early detection through screening, combined with advancements in treatment, significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and even cure.

Question: What are the primary risk factors for lung cancer? Can nonsmokers get it?

Answer: Cigarette smoking is the greatest risk factor for lung cancer, including exposure to secondhand smoke. Smokers are about 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the amount and duration of smoking. However, nonsmokers can also develop lung cancer, often due to genetic factors or exposure to carcinogens such as radon gas or environmental toxins.

Question: What are the most common symptoms of lung cancer?

Answer: Early lung cancer often does not cause noticeable symptoms, which is why screening is so important for high-risk patients. When symptoms do appear, they can be nonspecific, such as cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. More specific symptoms may include coughing up blood, unintentional weight loss, or recurrent respiratory infections.

Question: How is lung cancer diagnosed?

Answer: Lung cancer is typically diagnosed through a biopsy, most commonly performed via bronchoscopy or an image-guided needle biopsy. Recent technological advances, such as Monarch robotic electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy with cone beam CT, allow for real-time 3D navigation and enhanced visualization during minimally invasive lung procedures. This improves accuracy, even for smaller, early-stage lung cancers.

Question: Is early screening for lung cancer possible?

Answer: Yes. Early screening can be ordered by your primary care provider and is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends yearly screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) for adults who:

● Are 50 to 80 years old
● Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (e.g., one pack per day for 20 years)
● Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years

Question: Can lung cancer be cured?

Answer: Early-stage lung cancer, including both non-small cell and small cell types, may be curable through surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. This is why early detection is critical. While more advanced stages are less curable, newer treatments, such as immunotherapy, can improve survival rates and quality of life.

Dr. Keenan treats patients with a wide range of conditions, from sleep disorders to pulmonary diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema, occupational lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer.