About Lung Cancer

Who gets lung cancer? Lung Cancer usually occurs in older adults, and there has been an epidemic, first among men, related to the popular habit of cigarette smoking, that began in the early 1900s. The deaths from lung cancer are now diminishing among men, but are still increasing among women because cigarettes became popular with women at a later time, and the consequences are still being experienced. Despite women’s fears of breast cancer, it is lung cancer that is the leading cause of death among both men and women. While smoking, either current or in the past, is clearly a factor in many people, there are increasing numbers of people with lung cancer who have never smoked.

Depending upon where it originates, its behavior, and the type of cell that is producing the cancer, lung cancer can be divided into two main categories:

Non-small cell lung cancer: The more common type of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is comprised of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. They are lumped together because they behave similarly and are treated in similar fashion. However, there is a subtype of adenocarcinoma called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) which is less common but appears to be increasing, particularly among young women who are nonsmokers.
Small-cell lung cancer: This represents about 13 percent of all lung cancers. It is more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation, and, because of its tendency for more rapid spread and growth, surgery is not usually recommended first.

While the diagnosis of lung cancer may be very frightening, there are many treatment options to explore. It is important to remember that the lung cancer figures represent averages, and they are based on numbers from the past when treatment options were few, and not reflective of the rapid changes and improvements in lung cancer treatment that we recognize today. Treatment depends on the size, type, and stage of the tumor and on the patient’s health condition.

Currently, there are four standard treatments for lung cancer: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. There are some targeted treatments that you may have heard about, which are intended to slow uncontrolled cell growth. Targeted treatments for lung cancer include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, which are designed to block tumor cell growth by targeting the protein HER1/EGFR. This protein is important for cell growth in NSCLC. One or more of these therapies may be used, depending on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and overall health and age of the patient. Additionally, treatments targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are being studied for use in lung cancer.
Knowing your treatment options and establishing treatment goals that are mutually understood and agreed upon is an important step toward obtaining good treatment outcomes. By speaking with your physician, family, nurses, social workers, and other people involved in your cancer care you and your “team” can reach an informed decision on what options are best for you.

The following organizations have lung cancer resources available to patients and caregivers:

American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) —
The American Psychosocial Oncology Society is the only national organization devoted solely to research and the study of improving quality of life for cancer patients and their families. Their national network seeks to help patients and their families find counseling resources in their local communities. The referral program aims to connect patients or patient advocacy organizations to psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers skilled in the management of cancer-related distress. To request a confidential referral, please call:
1-866-APOS-4-HELP (1-866-276-7443).

Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) — The Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national organization advocating exclusively for lung cancer patients and those at risk. The LCA offers unique patient education and support programs focused on helping people directly affected by lung cancer. The LCA believes tremendous positive change can occur when facts are presented and awareness is elevated. For more information please call the LCA Hotline: 1-800-298-2436.

Lung Cancer Online Foundation (LCOF) — The Lung Cancer Online Foundation's goal is to improve the quality of care and quality of life for people with lung cancer. As one of the leading Web sites for lung cancer in medical journals, cancer support publications, and the media, LCOF provides information to patients and families by using a comprehensive directory of Internet information and resources.

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Building Your Team Event Schedule About Lung Cancer Lung Cancer Resources Fact Sheet (PDF)
About Lung Cancer Who gets lung cancer? Lung Cancer usually occurs in older adults, and there has been an epidemic, first among men, related to the popular habit of cigarette smoking, that began in the early 1900s. The deaths from lung cancer are now diminishing among men, but are still increasing among women because cigarettes became popular with women at a later time, and the consequences are still being experienced. Despite women’s fears of breast cancer, it is lung cancer that is the leading cause of death among both men and women. While smoking, either current or in the past, is clearly a factor in many people, there are increasing numbers of people with lung cancer who have never smoked. Depending upon where it originates, its behavior, and the type of cell that is producing the cancer, lung cancer can be divided into two main categories: Non-small cell lung cancer: The more common type of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is comprised of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. They are lumped together because they behave similarly and are treated in similar fashion. However, there is a subtype of adenocarcinoma called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) which is less common but appears to be increasing, particularly among young women who are nonsmokers. Small-cell lung cancer: This represents about 13 percent of all lung cancers. It is more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation, and, because of its tendency for more rapid spread and growth, surgery is not usually recommended first. While the diagnosis of lung cancer may be very frightening, there are many treatment options to explore. It is important to remember that the lung cancer figures represent averages, and they are based on numbers from the past when treatment options were few, and not reflective of the rapid changes and improvements in lung cancer treatment that we recognize today. Treatment depends on the size, type, and stage of the tumor and on the patient’s health condition. Currently, there are four standard treatments for lung cancer: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. There are some targeted treatments that you may have heard about, which are intended to slow uncontrolled cell growth. Targeted treatments for lung cancer include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, which are designed to block tumor cell growth by targeting the protein HER1/EGFR. This protein is important for cell growth in NSCLC. One or more of these therapies may be used, depending on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and overall health and age of the patient. Additionally, treatments targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are being studied for use in lung cancer. Knowing your treatment options and establishing treatment goals that are mutually understood and agreed upon is an important step toward obtaining good treatment outcomes. By speaking with your physician, family, nurses, social workers, and other people involved in your cancer care you and your “team” can reach an informed decision on what options are best for you. The following organizations have lung cancer resources available to patients and caregivers: American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) — The American Psychosocial Oncology Society is the only national organization devoted solely to research and the study of improving quality of life for cancer patients and their families. Their national network seeks to help patients and their families find counseling resources in their local communities. The referral program aims to connect patients or patient advocacy organizations to psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers skilled in the management of cancer-related distress. To request a confidential referral, please call: 1-866-APOS-4-HELP (1-866-276-7443). Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) — The Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national organization advocating exclusively for lung cancer patients and those at risk. The LCA offers unique patient education and support programs focused on helping people directly affected by lung cancer. The LCA believes tremendous positive change can occur when facts are presented and awareness is elevated. For more information please call the LCA Hotline: 1-800-298-2436. Lung Cancer Online Foundation (LCOF) — The Lung Cancer Online Foundation's goal is to improve the quality of care and quality of life for people with lung cancer. As one of the leading Web sites for lung cancer in medical journals, cancer support publications, and the media, LCOF provides information to patients and families by using a comprehensive directory of Internet information and resources.
Together, Facing Lung Cancer is brought to you by the Lung Cancer Alliance, Genentech, and OSI Oncology. 8288701 Models are for illustrative purposes only.