What You Should Know if You Have Lung Cancer

You can get lung cancer if you smoke — or if you never smoked. If you have symptoms or have been diagnosed, it's important to find out your options quickly.

Anyone can get lung cancer. Smoking is usually the cause, but many cases occur in people who quit smoking or never smoked.

Some 30,000 Americans who never smoked get lung cancer yearly. If you smoke or used to, you knew you were taking a chance. But you are hardly alone.

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It’s easy to miss lung cancer in the early stages. If you have smoked, or know you are exposed to secondhand smoke or pollution, talk to a doctor quickly if you notice symptoms like a new cough, raspy voice, unplanned weight loss, worsening headaches, or wheezing.

If your healthcare provider catches a tumor early, the cure rate can be as high as 90 percent.

Lung cancer often spreads before it is found. The good news is that there are more treatment choices than ever before, along with hope of survival with a reasonable qualify of life.

You will need a variety of tests for your doctors to understand exactly what kind of cancer you have and how far it has progressed.

You’ll likely work with several healthcare professionals. Your healthcare team will include:

• Your primary care provider
• A doctor who specializes in cancer, called an oncologist
• A pulmonologist, who specializes in lung disease
• A thoracic surgeon, specializing in lung and chest surgery
• A radiation oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer with radiation
• An oncology nurse

You may see another oncologist for a second opinion — for more information about your case, to provide alternatives, or to make you feel confident about your treatment choices.

Your team will help you through each step. You will have tests, including a biopsy if you likely have lung cancer. You’ll have before, during, and after treatment. Your team will guide you to make treatment decisions.

You’ll have time to prepare your family and friends and consult with as many doctors as you feel you need before you choose your treatment. You will want to discuss your treatment options and side effects with your family and treatment team to make the best choices for you.

Usually, treatment for lung cancer begins a few weeks after a diagnosis.

For some cancers associated with particular gene mutations, oral medicines can shrink tumors significantly and provide a good quality of life for a long time.

Immunotherapy — which boosts your immune system to fight the cancer — can be combined with chemotherapy to improve your results.

Be sure to speak up so you receive care that minimizes your discomfort and meets your needs. People who are more satisfied with their treatment tend to live longer. Your choices are yours. Make sure you feel in charge and understand your options.

Don’t try to tough it out on your own. Active support groups for patients and family caregivers can make a big difference with practical information and emotional support.

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