Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Here’s what you need to know to help prevent the disease and catch it early – when it’s most treatable.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the number of people who live at least five years after they are diagnosed with localized lung cancer (cancer confined to the site) is more than 60%. However, the number of people who live at least five years after being diagnosed with metastasized lung cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body), is only about 8%. That’s why lung cancer prevention and early detection are so important. 

Lung cancer risk factors to know

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, linking to about 90% of lung cancer cases, according to the American Lung Association.

If you currently smoke cigarettes, pipes or cigars or have smoked in the past, you have an increased risk of lung cancer. You may also be at risk if you're around secondhand smoke at home or work.

If you currently smoke, quitting will help reduce your risk of developing lung cancer and benefit your health in other ways.

Additional risk factors include:

• A family history of lung cancer in a first-degree relative
• Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
• Exposure to air pollution, asbestos, diesel fumes, coal dust, radon or toxic elements
• Some treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma
• You've had lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema, bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis
• Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

If you’re concerned about lung cancer, take our free, confidential lung health risk assessment. You'll receive the results over email with no further obligation. 

Low-dose screening

With low-dose screenings, we can reduce the amount of radiation to the patient during CT exams. Three screening tests detect lung cancer, including:

• Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) (also called low-dose spiral or helical CT scan) — Uses low-dose radiation to scan the body in a spiral path
• Chest X-ray exam — Uses electromagnetic waves to view the organs and bones inside the chest
• Sputum cytology — Uses a microscope to view mucus coughed up from the lungs to check for abnormal cells

The American Cancer Society recommends annual lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan for certain people at high risk for lung cancer who meet the following conditions:

• Are 50 to 80 years old and in fairly good health
• At least a 20-pack per year smoking history
  • A 20-pack year smoking history could mean:
• One pack per day for 20 years
• Two packs a day for 10 years

Know the signs and symptoms of lung cancer

Early-stage lung cancer is usually asymptomatic, meaning the person has no symptoms. Some common symptoms of lung cancer include:

• A persistent cough
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pains
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Pneumonia
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Weight loss or loss of appetite

These symptoms could also be signs of other health problems, so talk to your doctor if you've experienced any of the above.

If you have any concerns or questions related to these symptoms, please know that help is available at HCA Virginia Health System. Our family of hospitals provides close-to-home access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer. You can count on us to offer comprehensive lung cancer care with a prompt diagnosis and advanced treatments.