Dr. Makover
Chief Medical
Officer JIB
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer, even though it is by far the most easily prevented cancer. New approaches are helping reduce that tragic toll. In our Plan alone, there were over 200 cases of lung cancer in just three years (2010, 2011, 2012).
A possible cure for some for the first time
Lung cancer used to be virtually untreatable once seen on a chest x-ray, with few surviving even for one year. Newer treatments have extended lifespan somewhat longer, even by several years or longer, but there is another way to detect lung cancer much earlier, when it might be more curable.
Lung cancer is 99% due to inhaling tobacco smoke, whether directly or indirectly from other people’s cigarettes or cigars (secondhand smoke). It was extremely rare prior to the invention of mass-production cigarettes. It starts with a single cancer cell that keeps dividing. It takes 20 years before it is big enough to be seen on a chest x-ray, but by that time it has already spread all over the body (metastases) and chemotherapy and radiation do not work that well for this disease.
A new way to discover lung cancer much earlier, when it is more treatable
A newer type of CT x-ray scan of the lungs (Low Dose CT, or LDCT) can detect a lung cancer well before it would be visible on a chest x-ray. In some cases, about 20% of the time, it can be detected before it has spread. If removed at that point, then there is a better chance of a cure, a term used very reservedly in cancer, or at least a much longer survival.
A large study convinced every major medical organization that this is worthwhile.
This study and others also showed why doing routine chest x-rays are not worthwhile and are no longer done unless there is a clinical reason to do one.
Asbestos makes lung cancer risk even worse
People with asbestos in their lungs are at much higher risk. Asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer from smoking up to 90 times. They should be screened at an earlier age and with less of a smoking history.
Pros and cons of the screening program
As noted above, this is not a simple program and it has pros and cons. Yet it is the only way shown so far to make a real dent in the death toll from lung cancer. Anyone interested should have an in-depth discussion with a doctor knowledgeable about it and to read materials designed to make sure you know the whole story.
How to get more information
Anyone interested in this program can come to JIB Medical to discuss it with one of our doctors and to get a referral to a specialized facility if you decide to do it. If you cannot come here, you can ask your own doctor about it, talk with your local branch of the American Lung Association or the America Cancer Society or consult a lung specialist.åÊåÊåÊ
Prevention is the best treatment
The best way to treat lung cancer is not to get it in the first place ‰ÛÓ by never smoking and avoiding other people’s smoke (secondhand smoking causes many cases in otherwise non-smokers).
Those who do smoke can help reduce their risk by becoming non-smokers again as soon as possible. No one is born with a cigarette in his or her mouth, so it is a learned habit and one that can be unlearned. It can be very hard to do so (but extremely worth it).
Smoking is a brain disease
Smoking is a brain disease ‰ÛÒ an addiction ‰ÛÒ and should be treated as such. People who smoke are good people who were trapped into it as teenagers by the tobacco industry, which is incredibly skilled at addicting them. Once hooked, it is hard to break free, but, despite that, millions of smokers have become non-smokers again.
Our new program at JIB Medical to help people become permanent non-smokers has already had some success even in its early stages.
The addiction makes it seem like you can no longer exist without it, but the truth is that there are ways to help just about every smoker. They can find that they can be fine without their tobacco, and much better off. The JIB Medical tobacco cessation program helps smokers learn skills to defend against what the nicotine is doing to your brain and how to overcome the triggers that keep one smoking. There are also many other programs available for those who cannot easily come to JIB Medical.
Call or visit to get more information on smoking cessation or the lung cancer screening program.
If you are interested in the JIB Medical tobacco cessation program or in learning about other resources, please call 718-591-2000, ext. 1408 or 1341.
You can make an appointment at JIB Medical at 718-591-2014 to learn more about lung cancer screening. You can also ask your local doctor about experienced programs in your area.
