Lung Cancer 101
Carissa Thompson RN, BSN, OCN
Dispelling the myths
O “Only smokers get Lung cancer”
O “More women die from Breast cancer
O
O
O
O
O
than from Lung Cancer”
“I am too young to get Lung Cancer”
“There is nothing I can do to lower my
risk”
“Lung cancer rates are decreasing
now that fewer people are smoking”
“If I already have Lung cancer it
doesn’t matter if I quit smoking”
“Lung cancer is a death sentence”
“Statistics are compiled from the experiences of large numbers of
people… ”
Early detection is the key!!
O Low dose CT.
O Annual CXR
O Monitoring of PFT’s
O Annual Physicals
O Report any health
changes
O Reduce your risk!!
(smoking cessation,
reduce environmental
exposure)
Symptoms of Lung
Cancer
Often patients have no
symptoms until cancer has
advanced.
Common symptoms:
O cough (especially one that
doesn't go away or gets
worse in character)
O chest pain
O shortness of breath
O coughing up blood or bloody
phlegm
O new onset hoarseness or
wheezing
O recurrent problems with
pneumonia or bronchitis
O weight loss
O loss of appetite
O
Retrieved on 8/12/2009 from
http://oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?c=9&s=76&ss=781&id=8037&p=2
Hot off the press- New
screening guidelines
O
November 9th, 2011 the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
updated surveillance guidelines for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer encouraging
annual screening for HIGH RISK patients. Those people include:
Age 55-74 AND
O ≥ 30 pack year history of smoking AND
O Smoking cessation < 15 years
OR
• Age ≥ 50 AND
• ≥ 20 pack year history of smoking AND
• One additional risk factor other than second hand smoke.
These factors include radon exposure, occupational exposure,
family history of lung cancer, personal cancer history, history of
COPD.
O
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!
O Dispel the myths
O Know the facts about
risk and early
detection
O Surround yourself
with strong positive
people
O Have HOPE!!