Nearly 125,000 people have died from lung cancer in the United States this year alone, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society reported by KSWO.
Lung cancer stands as the second most common cancer in the country for both men and women. Dr. Aaron Trachte, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon with Memorial Health, said that early screening is vital because survival rates drop significantly once symptoms appear.
The survival is totally dependent on when we find the cancer,
Trachte said, according to KSWO.
So, if you can find a cancer that’s small at an early stage, then the chances of getting a cure are much better than if you find it late. Specifically for lung cancer, if you wait until you start to have symptoms, we’ve already kind of missed our opportunity to help you the most.
Physicians use a specific diagnostic tool to identify small masses before the disease progresses.
What we’re using is a CAT scan,
Trachte said, as reported by KSWO. It’s a lower dose radiation. So, if you came in through the emergency department, you would get a CAT scan that is very specific, high-definition slices looking for different things. What we’re really looking for is any kind of a mass.
Trachte noted that high-risk groups generally include people who are advanced in age, individuals with a history of smoking, and people who have family members that have had types of cancer.
While the disease rarely presents itself with symptoms, certain persistent issues warrant medical evaluation. Trachte listed a new cough that won’t go away, recurrent pneumonias that don’t resolve even with antibiotics, and losing weight without trying as potential indicators.
Patients diagnosed with the disease have access to coordinated treatment options close to home through regional facilities. Memorial Health and the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma provide collaborative care across the region.
One of the advantages that we have with the cancer centers of Southwest Oklahoma is that we have a collaborative group that covers the whole area,
Trachte said, according to KSWO. So, you don’t have to necessarily worry about getting far away. There should be a center that’s close to you, and they’re staffed by the same people that work at each of the centers.
Residents who believe they meet the screening criteria can contact cancer centers in Lawton, Duncan, or Altus to discuss their eligibility.
Screening is recommended for people who are advanced in age, have a history of smoking, or have family members that have had types of cancer, according to Memorial Health.
Collaborative cancer care facilities are available in Lawton, Duncan, and Altus.
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