Download Lung Cancer - The Big Picture

Lung Cancer - The Big Picture
Lung cancer can be explained as uncontrolled cell growth in the lungs. It is the second most
common cancer in the UK and over 45,525 people are diagnosed each year. Lung cancer is
one of the most difficult cancers to treat and there are few symptoms of lung cancer in the
early stages of the disease.
Most cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking while radon gas, pollution, and other
things play a smaller role.
Lung cancer claims more lives each year than do colon, prostate, ovarian and breast cancers
combined. Worryingly this number is growing year on year suggesting there is an urgent
need for more awareness campaigns around lung cancer.
To mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Professor Sam Janes –
Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at University College London
Hospitals and Clinical Advisor for LungHealth UK and Check4Cancer –
talks about the importance of screening, and how new test methods can
save more lives.
Most people are aware that smoking causes cancer, but may now believe that with
reductions in smoking this issue is solved. What is the scale of problem?
There are 35,895 lung cancer deaths in the UK each year, and it’s the biggest cancer killer of
men and women. So, even though smoking may be less widespread now, we are dealing with
a 20-30 year legacy. It is now starting to fall among men, but it’s been rising in women, and is
probably just coming to a peak.
How smoking is the cause?
Cigarettes are packed with cancer-causing chemicals. They also disarm the lungs' natural
defence system. The airways are lined with tiny hairs called cilia. To protect the lungs, they
sweep out toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Tobacco smoke stops the cilia from doing their job.
This lets the cancer-causing chemicals build up.
What is EarlyLung CDT test?
EarlyLung CDT cancer detection tests are based on the presence in the blood of
autoantibodies against specific tumour associated antigens that have the potential to detect
cancer up to four years earlier than other methods and can be applied to very wide range of
solid tumour types.
How does the EarlyLung CDT test work?
It’s detecting antibodies that we make in response to foreign substances. What cancer often
does is cause changes in proteins, and those are detected by the body, which creates
antibodies to those changes. And that’s what we’re looking for in the blood test. But also,
when cancer cells die they can release DNA which floats around in your blood, and many
laboratories are now trying to investigate this to see if they can detect changes that
potentially mean cancer is present.
What methods does LungHealth UK use to pick up cancer early?
LungHealth UK (part of Check4Cancer Ltd.) will let patients know about any new test that
could potentially inform someone they have lung cancer at the earliest positive time.
Currently we use the EarlyLung CDT test, and if that’s positive we decide whether you should
proceed to checks via a CT scan. The ease, low cost and portability of the test make it a very
useful tool – you just have a blood test, which can be administered by a nurse, and it gets sent
off for examination. But while we’re using the EarlyLung CDT test now, the idea is that if
another test came along that potentially looked more useful, then that’s the one that would
be recommended.
What are the LungHealth UK OneStop Clinics?
The LungCheck service does occasionally lead to the need for further tests, should your results
indicate a high risk. If this is necessary, LungHealth UK has a growing national network of
LungHealth UK OneStop clinics throughout the UK with local leading thoracic and oncology
consultants. OneStop Lung clinics are generally for symptomatic men and women, and aim to
make the process of diagnosis through to treatment as fast as possible. Once you’ve been
established as having a higher risk of getting lung cancer the consultant you’re referred to can
advise you on the action that needs to be taken.
Why are these kinds of screening important?
It just comes back to the fact that at the moment, doctors generally don’t see lung cancer
patients until it’s too late. Currently, there isn’t national CT screening – and in fact, in the UK
there is not any kind of national lung cancer screening at all. So, what Check4Cancer are trying
to offer is a blood test that can fill that gap – and from the earliest data this test is looking
promising.
Can lung cancer be prevented?
The best way to prevent it is to avoid smoking and to avoid breathing in other people's
fumes.
If you smoke, work on quitting, even if you’ve tried before. After 10 years, an ex-smoker
lowers their risk of lung cancer anywhere from 30% to 50%. You’ll also get many other
health benefits for your heart and the rest of your body.
It can be tough to kick the habit. Just keep trying!