Rates of lung cancer are decreasing, and strategies such as enhanced screening and detection methods can lead to an earlier diagnosis, which can result in better patient outcomes. Recognizing these improvements (in addition to decreased incidence of cigarette smoking), enhanced treatments, and the latest forms of radiation technologies, Sunnybrook experts recently reiterated the White Ribbon Project’s message that it is indeed “time to change the lung cancer story.”

The White Ribbon Project’s advocacy is based on promoting lung cancer awareness, in addition to altering the public perception of the disease rooted in years of misleading campaigns. At the last Sunnybrook Speaker Series event, guest presenters Surgical Oncologist Dr. Calvin Law (Chief of the Odette Cancer Centre), Radiation Oncologist Dr. Alexander Louie, Respirologist Dr. Harvey Wong, and Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Negar Ahmadi highlighted the advances in treating lung problems and malignancies that have contributed to a significant improvement in outcomes over the past few decades.

Innovations in Lung Cancer Treatments

Innovations in cancer treatment include various new trials taking place at Sunnybrook that involve SBRT (Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy). New surgical approaches for treating early cancers are also available, and becoming more minimally invasive, including robotic surgery, and removing smaller portions of diseased lung (i.e., segmentectomy rather than lobectomy).

At Sunnybrook, outpatient Interventional Pulmonology programs such as LDAP (Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program), are helping to expedite the work of patients with suspicious findings for lung cancer. This in turn results in quicker cancer treatments for patients, resulting in better patient outcomes. Minimally invasive methods are now available to confirm the diagnosis of lung cancer (i.e., scopes with ultrasound capabilities, in conjunction with navigation software, result in a painless and incisionless tissue sampling). While these innovations are currently in use, there are also newer technologies (i.e., Robotic Bronchoscopy) that are not yet available in Canada, but are being actively investigated and explored internationally.

Minimally invasive interventions are also available to manage complications related to lung cancer such as airway dilatation and the debulking of tumors from central airways. Another outpatient Interventional Pulmonology program, the EPIC (Effusion Procedural Interprofessional Clinic), inserts indwelling catheters so patients can have the fluid that forms around the lung drained in the comfort of their own home, rather than requiring frequent visits to the hospital.

Positive Outcomes from New Lung Cancer Innovations

• Enhanced treatment for patients
• Improved patient support and home care collaboration
• Faster treatment of cancer complications
• Increase in minimally invasive removals
• Enriched patient experience

Early Screening Saves Lives

Those between the ages of 55 and 74, with a current or former history of smoking (or who have quit smoking within last 15 years), are advised to talk to their primary care physician to see if they quality for lung cancer screening via CT scan. Lung cancer screening saves lives, and Sunnybrook continues to ensure that patients have the latest and most successful options.

Recommended Readings from our Experts

Offering perspectives from lung cancer patients, physicians, and on navigating the Canadian health care system.

• “The Emperor of All Maladies” by Siddhartha Mukherjee
• “When Breath Becomes Air” by Dr. Paul Kalanithi
• “Taking Charge of Cancer” by Dr. David Palma

The post Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment: Changing the Lung Cancer Story appeared first on Your Health Matters.

The reason that so many people die from lung cancer is that by the time it is usually diagnosed, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or is too big. When the cancer has spread or is too big, treatment has less of a chance of working.

The good news is that Ontario now has an effective and evidence-based way to check, or screen, people who are at high risk of getting lung cancer. According to Dr. Lisa Del Giudice, Regional Primary Care Lead – Cancer Screening, Toronto Central Regional Cancer Program, this means that some lung cancers can be found early, when treatment has a better chance of working.

The new Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP) is an organized lung cancer screening program that is currently available at four hospitals in Ontario.

Who can qualify for lung cancer screening?

People may qualify to get screened for lung cancer if they:

• Are 55 to 74 years old, and
• Have smoked cigarettes every day for at least 20 years in total (it does not have to be 20 years in a row, which means there could be times when someone did not smoke).

To find out if you qualify for lung cancer screening, Dr. Del Giudice recommends speaking with your health-care provider or contacting an OLSP site hospital. To find a hospital that offers lung cancer screening through the OLSP, call 1-866-662-9233 or visit the OLSP website for a list of locations.

If you qualify for lung cancer screening and you do not have a health-care provider, the hospital will help find you one so that you can get screened.

What is the screening test for lung cancer?

People who qualify to get screened will be offered a special type of computed tomography (CT) scan that uses a small amount of radiation. This test is called a “low-dose CT scan.” Getting screened with a low-dose CT scan is the best way to find lung cancer early when it may be easier to treat.

Lung cancer screening is not for everyone. Dr. Del Giudice says that “people who are not at high risk of getting lung cancer should not get screened because there may be more risks than benefits for them.”

For more information about lung cancer screening, please visit Cancer Care Ontario. If you think you have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer, speak with your health-care provider.

There are several things you can do to lower your risk of lung cancer:

• Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke;
• Protect yourself from cancer-causing substances;
• Eat a healthy diet;
• Know your personal risks.

Learn more about your lung cancer risk and how to reduce your risk at My CancerIQ.

Blog Authors:

Toronto Central Regional Cancer Program, Cancer Screening

Dr. Lisa Del Giudice, Regional Primary Care Lead – Cancer Screening, Toronto Central Regional Cancer Program Family Physician, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Academic Family Health Team

¹Cancer Care Ontario [Internet]. Toronto (ON): Lung Cancer. Available from: cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/lung 

The post Ontario has a new lung cancer screening program appeared first on Your Health Matters.