CHRISTUS Health urges prioritizing screenings for lung cancer

CHRISTUS Health is recognizing World Lung Cancer Day on Aug. 1 by raising awareness of the disease and the importance of early detection and screenings.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. Lung cancer also is the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for about one in five of all cancer deaths.

If caught early, the survival rate is greatly improved, said Dr. Christopher Snead, hematologist and oncologist with CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Cancer Center.

“When lung cancer has spread to other places in the body, there could be a treatment to prolong their life, but a cure might not be possible,” he said.

The American Cancer Society estimates 234,580 new cases of lung cancer in the U.S. in 2024 with an estimated 125,000 deaths from the disease. Those numbers emphasize the need for lung cancer screenings, which can detect potential cancerous cells before a patient exhibits symptoms, leading to a wider range of treatment options.

Several CHRISTUS hospitals are now offering a new minimally invasive procedure using the Ion Robotic Navigational Bronchoscopy that helps experts find and diagnose lung cancer earlier.

The tool allows physicians to get more precise biopsies of masses that were previously not accessible by traditional procedures, while also minimizing the risks.

“This new technology allows us to detect lung cancer early so intervention can start now,” said Dr. Rajesh Shetty, pulmonologist for CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels. “Often times people learn of their lung cancer after it has already spread. This changes that. Most importantly, our patients have a safer alternative with this minimally invasive approach.”

The most common symptoms of lung cancer include a cough that doesn’t go away, coughing up blood, chest pain, hoarseness, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, feeling tired or weak and infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away.

If lung cancer isn’t caught early, patients may have to have chemotherapy and radiation or a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

“Early detection of lung cancer is crucial for improving survival rates,” said Dr. Tashfeen Mahmood, pulmonologist for CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana. “Lung cancer diagnosis often occurs after it has already spread, but this technology changes that dynamic. Most importantly, it offers a safer alternative through its minimally invasive approach for our patients.”

Lung screenings can also include a chest X-ray, a low dose computed tomography scan, PET scan or blood testing. If an area of concern is located through screening, further testing is ordered to determine any potential cancerous cells.

The low-dose CT lung cancer screening is non-invasive and uses low radiation. The procedure dramatically increases the chances of detection of even the smallest of tumors and takes only about 15 minutes.

“Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer. Even second-hand smoke can increase one’s risk of lung cancer,” Snead said. “But even non-smokers can get lung cancer. There are some genetic factors and environmental factors that play a role in it, too.”

Patients interested in lung cancer screenings should talk to their primary care provider or visit www.christushealth.org for more information.