Lung Cancer Education

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Lung Cancer Education

Lung Cancer

Understanding the Basics

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer happens when damaged cells in the lungs grow out of control and form a tumor. It often develops from breathing harmful chemicals, though sometimes the cause is unknown. Symptoms usually don’t appear until it spreads, which makes it harder to treat.

Prevalence:

Louisiana ranks 40^th in the United States for lung cancer incidence.
Louisiana ranks 43^rd in the United States for lung cancer survival.
The lung cancer case rate is 61.8 per 100,000 people in Louisiana, which is higher than the national average.

Health Impact:

In Louisiana, the 5-year survival rate after a lung cancer diagnosis is 22.9%, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 28.4%.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death in Louisiana, accounting for 27% cancer deaths and claiming over 2,300 lives annually.

What Causes Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer starts when lung cells mutate (change) and grow abnormally. These changes are often caused by breathing in toxic or harmful substances. Even exposure that happened many years ago can still put you at risk. Sometimes, lung cancer can develop without a clear cause.

Taking steps now can reduce your risk and help protect your lungs. If you’ve been exposed to any of the substances listed below, talk to your doctor.

Risk Factors:

Many factors increase the risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as quitting smoking. However, lung cancer can develop in anyone, regardless of their smoking status or age. Risk factors for lung cancer include:

Smoking:

Leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for 90% of cases in the US
Tobacco smoke contains many harmful chemicals
Quitting is the best step for lung health
Secondhand smoke also increases your risk

Radon:

Second-leading cause of lung cancer
Colorless, odorless gas that comes from soil into buildings

Hazardous Chemicals:

Exposure to asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and some petroleum products can be dangerous
Ask your employer and doctor how to protect yourself if you work around these

Particle Pollution:

Tiny solid and liquid particles in the air we breathe
Long-term exposure increases lung cancer risk

Family History

Having an immediate family member with lung cancer may raise your risk
Share your family history with your doctor

Signs and Symptoms:

Many people with lung cancer don’t have symptoms until the disease is in its later stages. When symptoms are present, they are different in each person, but may include:

A cough that doesn’t go away and gets worse over time
Hoarseness
Constant chest pain
Shortness of breath or wheezing
Frequent lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
Coughing up blood

Some symptoms of lung cancer may not seem related to the lungs or breathing. These symptoms can still be a sign of lung cancer because lung cancer usually does not cause symptoms in its earlier stages. Some of these symptoms may include:

Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Headaches
Bone pain or fractures
Blood clots

See your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms. If you think you are at risk for lung cancer, talk to your doctor about being screened.

Early Detection and Screening:

Lung cancer can be hard to detect early, but screening can find it before symptoms appear. Early detection makes lung cancer easier to treat. If found early, the 5-year survival rate can be as high as 65%.

Who Should Be Screened:

Screening is not for everyone. It is recommended for people at high risk, using a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan. A doctor’s order is usually required.

You may be considered high risk if you:

Are 50–80 years old
Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (e.g., 1 pack/day for 20 years, or 2 packs/day for 10 years)
Currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years

Next Steps:

Talk to your primary healthcare provider about screening. If it’s right for you, they can refer you to a high-quality screening facility.

Lung Cancer Screening Sites:

Healthcare facilities across Louisiana offer lung cancer screening programs utilizing low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for early detection. Download a list of screening sites here or visit www.wellaheadla.com/community-resource-guide to find a lung cancer-screening site in your community.

Searching for local lung cancer screening resources is easy! Check the Lung Cancer Screening box under “Filter by Type”, select your parish from “Filter by Parish,” and applicable results will appear in a list below the interactive map.

Treating Lung Cancer:

If you’re diagnosed with lung cancer, your care team will help you understand your treatment options.

Use available resources: Nursing, social work, financial aid, nutrition advice, rehab, and spiritual support can all be part of your care.

Know your options: Understand the benefits, risks, and possible side effects of each treatment.

Get support: Cancer care isn’t just medical — emotional, financial, and practical help matters too.

Lung Cancer and Tobacco Use:

Smoking is the Leading Cause:

People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer.
The risk of lung cancer increases with the length of time and the number of cigarettes smoked.
In Louisiana, over 80% of lung cancers are caused by smoking.

Tobacco Use in Louisiana:

Louisiana currently ranks 7th highest state in adult smoking in the U.S.
26% of adults are currently using tobacco products.
Lung related complications have increased by 110% among adult tobacco users with an existing chronic condition.

Quitting is Key:

Lung cancer can still occur in people who have never smoked, so awareness is important for everyone.

Quitting tobacco use, even after many years, significantly lowers the risk of developing lung cancer.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure:

What is Secondhand Smoke?

Smoke from burning tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes)
Smoke exhaled by a smoker

Why is it Harmful?

Contains 7,000+ chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and ~70 that cause cancer
Can occur in homes, cars, workplaces, and public places

What is the Impact?

Causes 41,000 deaths among non-smoking adults each year
Causes 400 infant deaths annually
Increases risk for stroke, lung cancer, and heart disease

Protect Yourself and Others:

Avoid areas with tobacco smoke
Encourage smoke-free spaces at home, work, and public places