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http://www.crozerkeystone.org/news/Publ ... igh-risk-/ Published on November 07, 2012 CKHS Introduces New Lung Cancer Screening Program for High-Risk Men and Women Lung cancer is the number-one cause of cancer deaths in the United States for both men and women, and 85 percent of these mortalities can be attributed to smoking. It’s an especially critical problem here at home — Delaware County has the third-highest lung cancer rates of any county in the state. Addressing this important public health issue, Crozer-Keystone Health System now offers a Lung Cancer Screening Program to help catch and stop the spread of cancer at its earliest stages. The results of a recent landmark National Lung Screening Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that screenings with a low-dose CT scan can detect lung tumors early and reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by 20 percent for smokers. Crozer-Keystone has modeled its program on the national study, making lung screenings available to the residents of Delaware County for the first time. “This is exciting news for us—we have a chance of potentially making a huge difference for those who are high risk,” says Stacey Su, M.D., director of Thoracic Surgical Oncology at Delaware County Memorial Hospital and a Fox Chase Cancer Center thoracic surgeon. “It’s been a multidisciplinary effort, including surgeons, pulmonologists, radiologists and others across the health system to launch this program and everyone is very enthusiastic.” With its proactive approach to cancer care, the program puts Crozer-Keystone Health System at the forefront of a national health care trend. “In radiology, we commonly see lung nodules when doing studies for other health issues, but up until now there has been no motivation to perform a CT scan in order to specifically look for nodules,” says Eric Rubin, M.D., a radiologist at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. “With the trial data and the evidence of significantly decreased mortality, we know we can positively impact patient health.” To be eligible for the screening, individuals must be between the ages of 55 and 74, and current or former smokers; or have at least a 30 pack year smoking history (pack years are determined by the number of packs smoked daily multiplied by the number of years smoking). Former smokers must have quit within the last 15 years and patients should not have a history of any form of cancer within the last five years. “We are starting with the high-risk population, and we will eventually look into expanding,” says Marie DeStefano, RN, MSN, FAAMA, administrative director of Oncology for Crozer-Keystone Health System. “We don’t have any set goal for the number of people we’d like to see this first year but we hope that everybody who is eligible will take advantage of the program.” Participants start with an initial low-dose CT scan, which is interpreted by a board-certified radiologist. The program also includes consults with multidisciplinary specialists who are available for physicians and patients to assist in explanation or further treatment planning, a nurse navigator to assist in scheduling and guidance through all necessary steps, and smoking cessation information. “It’s a coordinated effort, from the radiologist to the primary care physician and everyone in between to work with the patient so no one is left guessing about what to do next,” says David Lainoff, M.D., a Crozer-Keystone Health Network internal medicine physician in the Springfield Primary Care Associates practice. The program is not covered by most health insurance plans, but in order to improve access for patients, Crozer-Keystone is keeping it at a low cost of $125. Patients need to be referred by a primary care doctor or pulmonologist. Because lung cancer is often asymptomatic, patients often don’t know they have the disease until it’s too late, which is why it’s critical for those who are high risk to pursue the screening. “The rates for cure are much lower when the disease is advanced,” says Thomas Prestel, M.D., a pulmonologist with Pulmonary Associates of Drexel Hill, P.C. “In the past year I can’t tell you how many people I have diagnosed with lung cancer who are at the prime of their lives, productive people with a lot to live for. It’s very sad to see, especially when you know it could have been different if the diagnosis was made from an early stage.” Of course, physicians agree that the best way to ensure prevention of lung cancer is by not smoking. In the meantime, Crozer-Keystone hopes to educate the public about this new option. “Our message is that all it takes is willingness to take part in this effort,” Su says. “You most likely already know someone who fits into this high-risk category, whether it’s a family member, a friend or yourself. This screening is our best shot right now to prevent death.” Rubin agrees. “This program is important for our doctors to potentially pick up lung cancer at an earlier stage, for patients to have this economical option to stay on top of their health, and for our community in general, because we have the potential to save.” Crozer-Keystone Health System offers CT screenings at six locations throughout Delaware County. A physician’s order is needed to be scheduled for the screening. Contact your physician to discuss whether you are appropriate for screening. If you need a referral to a physician who’s right for you, call 1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258). Or visit the Lung Screening Program website for additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions.

LUNGevity Foundation Issues Requests for Applications for their 2013 Career Development and Team-Based Awards for Translational Research http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNa ... 512_2.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Victoria Shapiro vshapiro@susandavis.com (202) 414-0774 Applications now available online WASHINGTON (November 15, 2012) – LUNGevity Foundation has issued three Requests for Applications (RFAs) for translational research for the following Awards that will be granted in 2013: Career Development Awards, Early Detection Awards, and Targeted Therapeutics Awards. The RFAs are available on the LUNGevity website at www.lungevity.org/research and are also posted on the proposalCENTRAL website. LUNGevity’s Career Development Awards for Translational Research program was created to support future research leaders who will keep the field of lung cancer research vibrant with new ideas. “It is essential to attract and keep talented researchers in the field of lung cancer research,” said Andrea Stern Ferris, President of LUNGevity Foundation. Successful applicants will receive $100,000 per year for a possible period of three years and will participate as non-voting members of LUNGevity’s Scientific Advisory Board for the duration of the award. LUNGevity Early Detection Awards support research projects directed at new approaches to improve clinical methods for the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. The preference is for studies that are likely to result in patient benefit in the foreseeable future. LUNGevity Targeted Therapeutics Awards support research projects directed at the discovery and validation of biomarkers or novel targeted therapeutics that will make a difference in the clinical treatment and survival of patients. Applicants for either Early Detection or Targeted Therapeutics Awards may apply as individuals or in teams of up to three investigators. It is strongly encouraged that teams be composed of principal investigators from different institutions. Successful projects will be funded at $100,000 per investigator per year for a maximum possible award of $600,000 over two years. LUNGevity supports the largest research awards program of any lung cancer-focused organization in the United States. LUNGevity-funded research projects since 2002 total more than $14 million, representing 92 projects at 54 institutions in 23 states. About LUNGevity Foundation The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer. It does so by supporting critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as by providing information, resources and a support community to patients and caregivers. LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer. For more information about the grants or LUNGevity Foundation, please visit www.lungevity.org. About Lung Cancer 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers Only 16% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves dramatically

LUNGevity Foundation Announces Third Annual Lung Cancer Caregiver Contest http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNa ... 11512.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Victoria Shapiro vshapiro@susandavis.com (202) 414-0774 Winner to receive one week stay at Cricket House in historic Gettysburg, PA WASHINGTON (November 15, 2012) – LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, announces its third annual lung cancer Caregiver Contest. The contest kicks off during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, November, and ends December 31, 2012. The winner of LUNGevity’s Caregiver Contest will be announced in February of 2013. The winner will receive travel and a one-week stay for two at Cricket House in historic Gettysburg, PA, owned by Debi Gemmell. Gemmell was a caregiver for her husband, Chris, who passed away of lung cancer in 2009, and she is an active lung cancer advocate who seeks out ways to help support the lung cancer community. “LUNGevity recognizes the difficulty and hardships that lung cancer caregivers sometimes face and are thrilled to be able to partner with Debi Gemmell, owner and operator of Cricket House, to offer this prize to one incredible caregiver each year” says Katie Brown, Director of Support and Advocacy for LUNGevity Foundation. “The caregiver is often the unsung hero in the lung cancer journey and we are honored to be able to recognize such incredible people.” In addition to funding impactful science, LUNGevity is committed to supporting the needs of the lung cancer patient, survivor and caregiver with peer-to-peer support through its Lung Cancer Support Community online message boards and LifeLine phone buddy program, as well as educational, webinars and an online Caregiver Resource Center. To learn more about these services and the LUNGevity Caregiver Contest and to nominate a caregiver, please visit www.LUNGevity.org/caregiver. About LUNGevity Foundation The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer. It does so by supporting critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as by providing information, resources and a support community to patients and caregivers. LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer. For more information about the grants or LUNGevity Foundation, please visit www.lungevity.org. About Lung Cancer 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers Only 16% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves dramatically

Writing On! November 13th, 2012 - by Ken Lourie http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/11/13/writing-on/ It was June ’09 when I published my first column in the Connection Newspapers about being diagnosed with cancer. It was actually a column detailing the diagnostic steps I had taken during the first few months of the year attempting to identify the pain I had initially felt under my right-side rib cage in late December. Once that pain migrated from one side to the other, accompanied by difficulty inhaling and bending, my wife and I decided that a trip to the Emergency Room was warranted. I wasn’t in any distress, and it certainly wasn’t an emergency; nevertheless, it did seem the sensible thing to do. During this diagnostic process (which took about two months), I continued to write and publish my regular weekly column as usual (not at all about cancer). Privately, however, I had been writing about this evolving situation ever since it began in the Emergency Room in December. Given all that the diagnostic process had involved, and the range of emotions I had experienced, I had ample feelings on which to write, eventually accumulating more than a handful of columns I have come to characterize as my “cancer columns.” These columns remained unpublished until June. My feeling had been that once I published a column about such serious matters, how could I ever again fill my space with the mundane minutiae that had characterized much of its content the previous 10 years, award-winning though some of them had been, as voted on by members of the MDDC Press Association (Maryland/Delaware/D.C.) and the VPA (Virginia Press Association)? Besides, chemotherapy was set to begin in early March, so I just decided to simplify my life and submitted for publication more of the non-cancer columns which I had written during less complicated days. After all, as you regular readers know, if I can write about anything, I can write about my life, its relative interest notwithstanding; so I had a stack of unpublished columns ready to carry me for a few months until I felt better or different and decided to go public with my diagnosis, which eventually I did. After I published that first column in June: “Dying to Find Out, Sort Of,” I just continued with the “cancer columns.” It seemed easy enough and I did have a bit of a story to tell/share. Although I had no idea or intention of using my space to chronicle the journey per se, of a terminal cancer patient attempting to survive the emotional, physical and spiritual toll such a diagnosis (stage IV lung cancer) and prognosis (“13-months to two years”) can have, apparently, that’s exactly what I’ve done. All I knew then was that writing about my experiences provided me a much-needed outlet. And for all I know now, writing so openly about my life as a cancer patient may have in fact extended that life; I have survived way beyond my oncologist’s initial prognosis. And as I have continued to survive, I have continued to write about having cancer. Once I started (published that first column), I couldn’t stop (again, it was my life, so…). Three years later, nearly 150 columns have been published. Occasionally, I’ll get off the cancer train (if only it were that easy) and write a non-cancer column, but when your life is consumed by something (as much as I wish it weren’t and as hard as I try to prevent it), it’s sort of difficult to ignore. Writing helps, for me. Part catharsis, part selfish, part greater good, but mostly because it brings me pleasure. And when your diagnosis is terminal, sometimes pleasure is hard to find. _____________________________________________ BIO: “I was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in late Feb., 2009. Symptoms (a pain in my right side which migrated to my left side) first manifested on Dec. 31st, 2008. Over the next nearly three months, I was “Emergency-roomed” and X-Rayed, followed up with a Pulmonary doctor and re-X-Rayed, then CT-Scanned and sent to a Thoracic surgeon – had a P.E.T. Scan (which “Lit up like a Christmas Tree,” the doctor said), then ultimately to a hospital for a biopsy which confirmed the unfortunate diagnosis. At age 54 and a half, a life long non-smoker, with no immediate family history of cancer or even premature death (I know, every death is premature), I received a terminal diagnosis and a “13 months to two-year” prognosis and advised by my oncologist to “Take that vacation I’d always dreamed of.” I didn’t and I haven’t. What I have be doing ever since is trying to live as normal a life as possible and writing about it, ‘it’ being my life as a terminal cancer patient, warts and all (euphemistically speaking; ‘warts’ have not been a side effect). Diagnosis to date, I have written and published nearly 180 columns on the subject, a subject with which I had very little previous experience and even less knowledge. My columns chronicle this journey (adventure hardly seems appropriate given its positive connotation) including all the ups and downs – and the “all-arounds,” too. This column is my life as one of the fortunate few; a lung cancer anomaly: a stage IV lung cancer patient who has outlived his doctor’s original prognosis; and I’m glad to share it. It seems to help me cope writing about it. Perhaps it will help you relate reading about it.” Please leave your comments below. Mr. Lourie’s columns can be found at www.connectionnewspapers.com. (key word, Lourie)

Early Evidence Helping to Define a Role for Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Lung Cancer: Podcasts by Dr. Vivek Mehta November 13th, 2012 - by Dr. Jack West http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/11/13/ro ... brt-in-lc/ Here are the next two parts of our webinar by radiation oncologist Dr. Vivek Mehta covering the topic of refining radiation for lung cancer. The first of these two focuses on encouraging early clinical research with stereotactic body radiation therapy, or SBRT, along with discussion of some current open questions on this technology. Here are the video and audio versions of that podcast, as well as the associated transcript and figures for it. (Click link above to view video and audio links) Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 3 Video Podcast Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 3 Audio Podcast Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 3 Transcript Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 3 SBRT Early Work Figures The next podcast (part 4) covers the question of where this really leads us in terms of defining a role for SBRT in lung cancer. With its increasing establishment of utility as an effective option for patients with “medically inoperable” early stage lung cancer, we are left with the question of whether this radiation-based option is a viable alternative also for people who could safely undergo surgery. Perhaps stereotactic radiosurgery can provide comparable utility without the challenge of undergoing a major lung surgery. Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 4 Video Podcast Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 4 Audio Podcast Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 4 Transcript Mehta Refining RT for LC Pt 4 Figures We’ll continue with more of his presentation very soon. I hope this series is helpful.

Do Patients Want Their Oncologist to be a Teacher or a Cheerleader? November 11th, 2012 - by Dr. Jack West http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/11/11/ch ... -or-teach/ An article recently published New England Journal of Medicine made some news in reporting that a majority of the nearly 1200 patients with metastatic lung or colon cancer interviewed relayed significant hope that chemotherapy would cure their cancer, though this is generally not a realistic expectation when these cancers are metastatic. The research doesn’t distinguish whether they were told that their cancer isn’t conventionally considered curable or whether an accurate picture was conveyed, but it wasn’t “heard” or accepted. In fact, there were likely different factors in different patients. Among the most interesting aspects of this study was that the patients who believed that they could be cured of metastatic cancer were the patients who reported the greatest satisfaction with their oncologist’s communication with them This led the authors to note in their conclusion, “In this era of greater measurement and accountability in health care, we need to recognize that oncologists who communicate honestly with their patients, a marker of a high quality of care, may be at risk for lower patient ratings.” (Italics added) As an oncologist who generally approaches patients with a philosophy that people should have access to accurate, truthful information truth and need to know the truth to be equipped to make an informed decision about the value of treatment when there are real anticipated risks along with likely limited benefits, I found these results to be concerning. There’s no question that communicating about prognosis and the value of treatment in cancer care is an art, but it appears that many people, and perhaps even most, don’t actually want the truth. Instead, what many patients really prefer is an eternally optimistic doctor who will deflect the challenging realities. I actually see this in practice… it’s often the docs who gladhand and evade harder, time-consuming conversations about realistic expectations who are most beloved. Realizing that the online community may represent a more information-seeking population than those relying on what they hear from their doctor, I’d like to ask whether you feel that truth-telling precludes hope in a setting of advanced cancer. Should oncologists evade the best assessment of a realistic prognosis if it’s really what many patients want? Should we only discuss prognosis when people ask directly, and if so, can patients really make an informed decision about treatment without knowing what it can or can’t realistically do for them? Would the results be different if people were asked about satisfaction with the oncologist later on, after the cancer progresses and the disease becomes harder to manage? In other words, can optimism be a lasting strategy, or do we really pay no or pay later? What style of oncologist do you prefer?

Looking for inspirational books to read? Here are a few recommendations: [*] Author Teri Simon tells the story of her first year of living with lung cancer via a series of blog posts that are frank, warm, humor-infused and, most of all, full of hope. Perspectives of a Flying Elephant: My First Year in the Land of Lung Junk http://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Flyi ... 202&sr=8-1 Turbulence for a Flying Elephant: My Second Year in the Land of Lung Junk http://www.amazon.com/Turbulence-Flying ... 426&sr=1-5 [*] Author Cynthia Siegfried, an advocate for family caregivers and for cancer patients, is a popular speaker who offers hope and inspiration to those touched by catastrophic disease. Cancer Journey: A Caregiver's View from the Passenger Seat http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Journey-Ca ... 1414115490 [*] Randall Broad is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and business founder of Opal Enterprises, Inc. He speaks and shares his background on the subject of work/life balance and its necessity in everyday life. As a cancer survivor, he realizes that living your life as if you have cancer is not just a phrase but the mindset that transforms each day into the extraordinary. It's an Extraordinary Life http://www.amazon.com/Its-Extraordinary ... dall+broad [*] Author Lynne Eldridge, M.D. graduated from the University of Minnesota medical school with prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honors. She completed her residency through the U of M with time spent in Hawaii studying pesticide exposure in people. Dr. Eldridge passionately practiced family medicine with an emphasis on prevention for over 15 years in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, before devoting herself full time to researching and speaking internationally on cancer prevention and nutrition. Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time: Practical Advice For Preventing Cancer http://www.amazon.com/Avoiding-Cancer-O ... e+eldridge

Middlesex Hospital 28 Crescent Street Middletown, CT 06457 860-358-6000 info@midhosp.org http://middlesexhospital.org/our-servic ... ng-program http://middletownpress.com/articles/201 ... de=default Lung Cancer Screening Program Middlesex Hospital’s Total Lung Care Center offers you a comprehensive network of testing and treatment programs to help you care for your lungs. We can help you prevent lung disease, and detect lung disease early so treatment is easier and more effective. We also provide the most advanced care for all lung diseases with our team of dedicated and caring experts. Middlesex Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program In November of 2010, the National Cancer Institute proved that screening people at high risk for lung cancer can save lives. Lung cancer screening is important, since early stage lung cancer often has no symptoms. Detecting lung cancer at its early stages means the best chance of being cured. We recommend this screening program for smokers and ex-smokers who are 50 years old and older. Talk with your doctor to see if you would benefit from our Low Dose CT Screening Program. How can I get a Lung Cancer Screening? You must have a referral from your doctor for this screening. Call your doctor, and tell them you are interested in a Screening CT scan. Together, you can discuss your risk and decide if a screening is for you. Your doctor’s office will send the referral to our Central Scheduling Department. You will receive a phone call from our central scheduling office to make an appointment and to verify your information. Does insurance pay for the screening? No. Medicare and most insurance companies do not pay for screening CT scans. This means you must pay out-of-pocket. The only exception is Wellpoint Insurance, but you should call your Wellpoint representative to verify before your appointment. The screening costs $125, and we accept cash or credit cards.

October 1, 2012-October 31, 2012 Here is a review of some key stories and links that were featured on our social media sites: • "The first large and comprehensive study of the genetics of a common lung cancer has found that more than half the tumors from that cancer have mutations that might be treated by new drugs that are already in the pipeline or that could be easily developed." Read More: http://ow.ly/eYDb1 • Uncovering the secrets behind lung cancer http://ow.ly/eYDgj • Create a @CaringBridge site & post #lungcancer health updates. You can create a LUNGevity branded site: http://ow.ly/e7Ocy • "LUNGevity is the one source out there giving a ray of HOPE..." http://ow.ly/eYDkD • Breathe Deep and JUMP DC event this past Saturday for lung cancer research. LUNGevity President takes the pLUNGe off a building! http://ow.ly/f05Zm • Thank you MIX 107.3 for Rapelling for LUNGevity! http://ow.ly/f061B • Breathe Deep Cary (NC) CUpcake 5K is THIS Sunday! Come out and join us for this great event at WakeMed soccer park! • Please take a minute to write a review of LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION on @GreatNonprofits - thanks!! http://gr8np.org/go/hPe • Molecular Targets in Lung Cancer: Not Just for Adenocarcinomas Anymore http://ow.ly/eYDsp • "How to Choose a Cancer Treatment Center" How did you choose your cancer center? Did you seek second opinions? http://ow.ly/eYDQx • There is Hope. Breathe Deep DC event PSA http://ow.ly/eYDUt • Support #lungcancer research & awareness! "Like" LUNGevity Foundation on facebook today: http://ow.ly/edPOd • "Too young to be a sandwich..." #caregiving #lungcancer Read more: http://ow.ly/eYDXZ • Depression after treatment? How have you been able to handle the emotional toll of lung cancer treatment? Caregivers- any tips on helping your loved ones thru cancer depression? http://ow.ly/eYE4o • LUNGevity's Caregiver Resource Center will arm caregivers with information on what to expect after a lung cancer diagnosis; what questions to ask; how to help the patient; ways to take care of themselves and resources available. http://ow.ly/eYEat • Be Bold Be Bald & raise awareness for #lung cancer! Go tohttp://www.beboldbebald.org & select LUNGevity. Raise awareness in unique & fun way! • LUNGevity invests in vital research to find lung cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. Hear why breast cancer survivor Lynne Eldridge, MD, continues to be an ardent lung cancer advocate and why she values LUNGevity's approach to providing support and funding research. http://ow.ly/eYEmZ • Need help affording your healthcare costs? Register for a free webinar hosted by #NeedyMeds. http://bit.ly/SHyPaj • Upcoming webinar, register free for Advances in Surgery for Lung Cancer, Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 3:30 PM Pacific, 5:30 PM Eastern • LUNGevity supports the largest grant awards program of any lung cancer-focused organization in the U.S. In addition to the newest Career Development Awards, LUNGevity and its partners are providing over $2.5 million of additional funding in 2012 to support ongoing projects, bringing the total for LUNGevity-funded projects to more than $14 million. Take a look the the research LUNGevity has funded to date. http://ow.ly/eYEsh • "Flexing My HOPE Muscle", by Susan Gamble http://ow.ly/eYEvE • Nation’s largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit honors Chicago-area natives with the Kay Barmore Volunteer Award! http://ow.ly/eYEzO • We are at the NCONN conference this weekend. Nurse navigators are amazing! http://ow.ly/f069h • Happy to meet with collaborating organizations like Meals to Heal at NCONN http://ow.ly/f06a2 • Good luck to Team LUNGevity in the Chicago Marathon this weekend. http://ow.ly/f06bq • Bavituximab: A Great Story that Turns Out Too Good to be True, by Dr. Jack West http://ow.ly/eYEJB • Every dollar you donate gets us 1 breath closer to improving survivorship for #lung cancer. You can make a difference!http://ow.ly/ewNpc • Advocates in Action by LungCAN http://ow.ly/f06dI • Join Us October 14th for Breathe Deep Westport Breathe Deep Westport is a 5K walk/fun run in Sherwood Island State Park to raise money for critical lung cancer research. • Launching A New War On Cancer -- http://ow.ly/eYF43 • Making it Personal http://ow.ly/eYF9K • GRAFF Diamond Trunk Show: GRAFF will hold a Trunk Show at Saks Fifth Avenue, Tyson's Corners, VA October 12-13 with a portion of the proceeds of all sales benefitting LUNGevity • 5th Annual Suzi Carmassi Golf Classic: Please Join us! This year the Golf Classic will be held at Whiskey Creek Golf Club, Ijamsville, MD THIS Monday, October 15th. • A GREAT video from Breathe Deep Phoenix http://ow.ly/eYFix • Test May Spot Rare Lung Cancer http://ow.ly/eYFJB • LUNGevity Foundation Applauds FDA Approval of Abraxane® as Additional Tool in Arsenal for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer http://ow.ly/eYFOu • Lung Cancer Highlights: Question and Answer Session Podcast http://ow.ly/eYFS5 • Having trouble affording your medications and health care costs? Attend this free webinar hosted by NeedyMeds to learn about all the available resources that can help those diagnosed with lung cancer. Register at: bit.ly/SHyPaj • Forwarded: PLEASE READ - Facebook is implementing some changes that will affect your "favorite likes" in your newsfeed. If you would like to continue seeing LUNGevity Foundation updates and images in your newsfeed: 1. Head over to the LUNGevity page on your COMPUTER (it won't work from your mobile). 2. Hover with mouse over the "LIKE" or "LIKED" button (top right hand side) there is a drop down box. 3. Click on "ADD TO INTEREST LIST." (Create a list if you don't have one already, and add LUNGevity to it) Thanks everyone! • Press Briefing and community symposium Breathe Deep NYC ! http://ow.ly/f06hZ • LUNGevity Foundation is proud to be the largest lung cancer-focused private funder of research in the United States. Since 2002, LUNGevity-funded scientific research projects have totaled more than $14 million, with over $5 million granted to outstanding researchers in just the last two years. This represents an investment in 92 projects at 54 institutions in 23 states. http://ow.ly/eYGig • Lauren Byers, MD, Assistant Professor of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was awarded a LUNGevity Career Development Award. Though she is still building her career as a scientist, her exceptional discovery of a potential new treatment for small cell lung cancer has demonstrated her promise as a lifelong lung cancer researcher.http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNa ... Byers.html • Approximately 33,000 more women will die of lung cancer than breast cancer in 2012. Learn the lung cancer facts. Then help us change them. http://ow.ly/eYGxE • Please join us Sunday, Oct. 21 for Breathe Deep NYC, an untimed 3K walk around New York City's Battery Park. The course is friendly to strollers and wheelchairs and the event features entertainment for the whole family. • HER2 may impact lung cancer therapy http://ow.ly/eYGDh • LUNGevity is proud to fund the development of this blood test that could detect lung cancer before it is too late. Read More: http://ow.ly/eYGHe • “Medicine shouldn’t make people sicker. We are using all the tools at our disposal to develop a test that improves the quality of patient care and allows more personalized medicine,” says Dr. Heymach. “We also hope to contribute to understanding how drug resistance can be overcome. After all, knowledge is power.” Read more:http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNavigator/v2_Research_Profiles_JohnHeymach.html • Join us for Breathe Deep Phoenix ! It's an untimed 5K and a family fun fair for a GREAT cause! Sunday, October 28th, 2012 at Kiwanis Park (Ruben Romero Ramada) register today! • Raising awareness about lung cancer is critical to addressing the funding disparity for lung cancer research. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is just around the corner. How will you raise awareness about lung cancer this November? • Nexavar (Sorafenib) Fails in Overall Trial but Looks Favorable for EGFR Mutation-Positive Patients http://ow.ly/eYGR1 • Defining the Right Population for Lung Cancer Screening: Why Shouldn’t it be Everyone? http://ow.ly/eYGWc • Northbrook IL: Don't miss Jewelry Night Out! Thursday, October 25 from 4:30-8:30 pm with 15% of proceeds will be donated to LUNGevity. • About.com: The Literal Costs of Caring for a Loved One With Lung Cancer http://ow.ly/eYH0X • Please join us Saturday, Nov. 3 for One Voice, One Hope, our annual Chicago Fall Benefit, featuring cocktails, an international buffet, and a spectacular silent auction. http://fallbenefit.lungevity.org/ • Have a question about lung cancer? Visit LUNGevity's Ask the Experts. You can search through questions and answers or even submit your own question to our experts. http://blog.lungevity.org/ask-the-experts/ • If you could convey a message to medical professionals about lung cancer or patient issues/unmet needs, what would it be? SHARE and COMMENT below. This is a must read from Teri Simon, "A Message to Lung Cancer Professionals" http://ow.ly/eYH9q • Breathe Deep Boston 5k Walk, Nov. 3 - Raise #lungcancerawareness, REGISTER today! http://ow.ly/eHfOy • “Working together, we can improve imaging techniques to make a tremendous impact on lung cancer...” Read more: http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageSe ... wartz.html • “Many patients and physicians are faced with the quandary of ‘indeterminate’ lung nodules,” says Dr. Miller. “Improving these biomarker-based tests will help patients and physicians decide the best way to proceed.” http://ow.ly/eM4ye • #Lung Cancer event for the entire family - Breathe Deep Central Illinois 5k run/2 mile walk on Nov. 3. REGISTER today: http://ow.ly/eJiRo • November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month- that's 5 days away. Join us at one of our many November events coast-to-coast, remember those we've lost, and celebrate the survivors. What will you do to raise awareness for LCAM ? SHARE!! • "If Lung Cancer Screening Helps Some, Should We Screen Everyone? No, and Here’s Why Not" by Dr. Jack West Thoughts? http://ow.ly/eYHw6 • Heather Saler 9th Annual #Lung Cancer Walk is Saturday in Pennsauken, NJ - Have you registered? Do it today: http://ow.ly/eSy78 • Sending best hopes and positive thoughts to everyone in the path of the storms and to our staff/offices in the NE and Midwest. Be Safe! • THIS Sunday: Lung Cancer Community to Gather on National Mall for LUNGevity's Fourth Annual Breathe Deep DC Walk to Fight Lung Cancer. read more: http://ow.ly/eYHDU • A Note on Hurricane Sandy: We have several events scheduled for Nov. 3-4 in areas affected by the storm. We are hopeful that we will be able to go forward with the walks as planned. Please be sure to check back later in the week for status updates. • Dr. Silvestri, Pulmonologist, on Pulmonary Complications of Treatment for Lung Cancer http://ow.ly/eYHRd • The Lung Hill Run is this Sunday in Kansas City MO. Come out and support our efforts at Liberty Memorial! http://ow.ly/eYHZu • WEGO Health will be holding a virtual panel for active members of the online health community and we wanted to make sure you had a chance to participate. This lung cancer panel will bring together other patients and caregivers for an informal discussion of the topics that matter most to you. RSVP to participate, raise awareness adn use your voice for change. Thanks! http://info.wegohealth.com/roundtable • Great article! Breathe Deep Pompano Beach 5k http://ow.ly/eYIdf • Breathe Deep Pompano Beach (FL) this Saturday! 5k timed run & untimed walk for #lungcancer - Family fun event! http://ow.ly/eUzbI • Sharon Drolet's husband, Tom, was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2010 after being treated for several other sicknesses. In November 2010, Sharon participated in the LUNGevity walk in Boston and decided that there needed to be a walk to raise funds for lung cancer research in New Hampshire as well. *Read more about the New Hampshire walk happening THIS Saturday! http://events.lungevity.org/site/TR?fr_id=3320&pg=entry • 10 years ago, Renee Kosiarek had a vision that everyone would know and understand the devastating statistics related to lung cancer. She discovered LUNGevity, and created Breathe Deep Naperville: A Walk and Rally to Stop Lung Cancer happening THIS Saturday Nov 3. Click link to read more. http://events.lungevity.org/site/TR?fr_id=3360&pg=entry Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lungevity

LUNGevity Foundation and Take Aim at Cancer Join Together to Raise Awareness and Funds for Lung Cancer Research FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Victoria Shapiro vshapiro@susandavis.com (202) 414-0774 http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNa ... 10812.html WASHINGTON (November 8, 2012) – LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, and Take Aim at Cancer, a leading supporter of targeted therapy-focused lung cancer research and education, have agreed to collaborate to drive funding for lung cancer research and elevate awareness about the nation’s number one cancer killer. The two lung cancer nonprofits are joining together initially to hold a series of fundraising and awareness events beginning this November, Lung Cancer Awareness month. Jeff Wigbels, chairman and founder of Take Aim at Cancer, said, “The collaborative effort with LUNGevity Foundation will enable us to accelerate the much needed funding of world-class research that could greatly advance today’s standard-of-care treatment for lung cancer patients.” Wigbels, a never-smoker, is a Stage IV lung cancer survivor and ardent advocate for targeted therapy. The organizations have come together to productively leverage their joint resources to accelerate progress in the fight against lung cancer and, in doing so, provide hope, education and inspiration for patients and families. Andrea Ferris, president of LUNGevity Foundation, said, “We are thrilled to team up with Take Aim at Cancer to support critically-needed research and create hope for cures, treatments and enhanced quality of life for all patients. Jeff is an inspiration and testament to the promise of new treatment models like targeted therapy for lung cancer patients.” About LUNGevity Foundation The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer. It does so by supporting critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as by providing information, resources and a support community to patients and caregivers. LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer. About Take Aim at Cancer Take Aim at Cancer was founded in January 2010 by Jeff Wigbels. Take Aim at Cancer is an Atlanta-based 501©(3) nonprofit organization benefitting targeted therapy and lung cancer research. In May 2010, Wigbels was the recipient of MD Anderson’s “Making Cancer History” Award. Take Aim at Cancer’s mission is to raise critical funding for increased research, scientific collaboration and awareness of targeted cancer therapy, so that more people who are battling cancer can have the opportunity for this ground-breaking, personalized treatment and the chance for a brighter future. For more information, please visit www.TakeAimAtCancer.org About Lung Cancer 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers Only 16% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves dramatically

A Silver Lining of Gratitude November 9th, 2012 - by Juhi Kunde http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/11/09/a- ... gratitude/ The first time I went to India, I was three years old. India was very different in those days. There were many mud-streaked, naked children living in tents or alleyways. Some of those kids were my age but they weren’t playing with dolls or having tea parties; they were banging on car windows to beg for food. I have been back to India many times, and on each visit I have seen the country change and prosper. I have seen fewer and fewer children in such dire conditions. But those first trips to India have made their mark. Now, on stormy nights I always offer a little prayer of thanks for the warm shelter around me. And I rarely say “I have nothing to wear” because I have seen people who truly don’t own clothing. I guess that’s the thing about traumatic events, whether someone is facing a devastating diagnosis or witnessing an uncomfortable side of humanity, you eventually begin to appreciate the things you have. You learn to have a little gratitude. And now, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy so many people are facing difficult, or even life-threatening, situations. Perhaps this is a good time for all of us to pause and take stock of the things we appreciate in our lives. LUNGevity supporters have a lot to be grateful for – we have world-class researchers devoting their lives to helping lung cancer patients, we have a growing and active support community and most importantly, we have the hope of better outcomes for lung cancer patients in the years to come. But that’s just the beginning, there are so many other things to appreciate too – friends, pets, laughter, a kind stranger – the list goes on and on. Please share your stories with us — what are you grateful for?

Spotlight: Lois Green November 9th, 2012 - by admin http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/11/09/sp ... ois-green/ Lois Green of East Greenbush, New York went to NYC to participate in the ING NYC Marathon for all the right reasons. She and her team trained hard and fundraised non-stop to get to the marathon and to represent their charity, Labrecque- LUNGevity’s Run As One partnership. She wanted to test her endurance as an athlete and she wanted to run the marathon in honor and in memory of those who couldn’t. But after super storm Sandy hit the north east, the marathon was cancelled. Instead of joining protests or voicing angry words about the time and money lost with the last minute cancellation of the NYC Marathon, Lois and her supporters shifted their gears. They donated batteries, wipes and diapers of all sizes for victims of the storm with small children. They brought bags of clean and gently used clothes to those in need and they scoured for opportunities to be useful and make a difference. But it was hard for Lois and her team not to feel disappointed that the marathon was ultimately cancelled at the last minute. Lois Green of “Team Green” knows something about disappointment. At a routine checkup for asthma, the runner and never-smoker was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was a shock, but Lois didn’t let that diagnosis and subsequent surgery stop her. She continued to run and train and participate in marathons for great causes. Today, she uses her story and survivorship to raise awareness about the disease and advocate for LUNGevity, the largest lung cancer nonprofit in the nation. Lois also participates in LUNGevity’s Hope Summit, an annual summit in May specifically for lung cancer survivors. When the opportunity became available for Lois to join Team LUNGevity in this year’s NYC Marathon, she immediately signed up and began fundraising with the help and support of her family and friends. When Lois got home, she was heartbroken to learn about the passing of her friend and fellow lung cancer fighter, Susan Gamble. Another friend, Sara R., just went into hospice care. The three ladies had met during Hope Summit and as survivors of lung cancer they all shared a passion for advocacy and raising awareness about the disease. “It’s important to share our stories and work to raise awareness about this disease that claims so many lives. Lung cancer isn’t a smoker’s disease. Susan, Sara and I never smoked in our lives. Lung cancer is everyone’s disease. Anyone with lungs can get it and everyone deserves a chance to survive it. There’s no early detection test for lung cancer. Most people are diagnosed in the latest stages of the disease. We need to fund more research so that there will be more treatment options and more survivors -so people like Susan and Sara and so many others won’t run out of time.” Lois Green and her running team have raised almost $10,000 for LUNGevity, and they’re not done yet. http://events.lungevity.org/site/TR/201 ... fr_id=3520

Thanks Bud, great idea!

The latest About.com article talks about financial stress. Do you have suggestions to help reduce financial stress, depression and anxiety? Cancer Related Financial Stress Affects Psychological Well-Being By Lynne Eldridge MD, About.com Guide November 6, 2012 http://lungcancer.about.com/b/2012/11/0 ... -being.htm We don't really need a study to tell us that financial concerns related to cancer can affect people emotionally. But then again, it's good to have a reminder. Plus, saying it out loud offers a chance to point at a few possible solutions. Researchers checked on people living with lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer in the Ireland National Cancer Registry. They then came up with a few definitions. "Financial strain" being the impact cancer has upon the family's ability to make ends meet. And "financial stress" meaning the feelings someone holds about their financial situation after their cancer diagnosis. They compared this with psychological well-being - feelings of depression, distress and anxiety. Among the group evaluated, 49% reported increased financial stress, and 32%, increased financial strain. 36% of patients admitted to depression, 29% felt anxiety, and 29% experienced distress. When compared, depression was 3 times as common in people who were experiencing financial stress and strain. Severe depression was 4 times more common in people experiencing financial stress and 8 times more likely among those experiencing financial strain. Clearly, financial stress and strain can have a negative psychological effect on people living with cancer. This is important for medical professionals to be aware of as they address the emotional concerns of cancer patients. It's also important for loved ones of cancer patients to understand. If you have a loved one experiencing financial stress and strain, is there something you can do to help ease their burden? Perhaps plan a fundraiser? Or, if financial support isn't possible, at least be a shoulder as they experience the emotions that come with such stressors? Financial Help for Cancer Patients Planning a Fundraiser for Someone With Cancer Free Stuff for People With Cancer As a last reminder, depression - no matter the cause - occurs far too often in people living with cancer. If you feel down more than you think is normal due to your situation, talk to your doctor. Lung Cancer and Depression Photo: Flickr.com, user SAN_DRINO Source: Sharp, L., Carsin, A., and A. Timmons. Associations between cancer-related financial stress and strain and psychological well-being among individuals living with cancer. Psychooncology. 2012 Mar 12. (Epub ahead of print)

Thoughts on the Nanoshell therapy? http://news.rice.edu/2012/11/02/nanoshe ... cal-trial/ Nanoshell therapy to be tested in lung cancer clinical trial JADE BOYD – NOVEMBER 2, 2012 POSTED IN: CURRENT NEWS, FEATURED STORIES Cancer Treatment Centers of America will test Rice-developed nanotherapy Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and Nanospectra Biosciences have planned the first clinical trial for lung cancers of a new therapy that uses gold nanoshells, which were invented at Rice. Nanospectra’s AuroLase Therapy uses a combination of lasers and nanoparticles to destroy cancer tumors with heat. Because the nanoparticles — balls of silica encased in a thin shell of gold — are absorbed by tumors and not healthy tissue, the technology can destroy tumors with minimal damage to healthy tissues. “It’s extremely gratifying to see this technology progress from the lab into the clinic,” said nanoshell inventor Naomi Halas, Rice’s Stanley C. Moore Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, professor of biomedical engineering, chemistry, physics and astronomy, and director of Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics. “I’m particularly pleased that this trial is being conducted by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, an organization that is committed to improving access to investigational cancer therapies.” The nanoshells-based cancer treatment was pioneered at Rice by Halas and Jennifer West, the Isabel C. Cameron Professor of Bioengineering. Houston-based Nanospectra, which was founded in 2002, has the exclusive license from Rice to 11 U.S. patents related to nanoshells and nanoparticles. Nanospectra and CTCA said the clinical trial has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the CTCA Institutional Review Board and will involve treatment of primary and metastatic lung tumors. The trial will be conducted by Dr. Mark Lund and colleagues in CTCA’s Interventional Pulmonology Department. Nanospectra said AuroLase technology is also being tested in ongoing human clinical trials for metastatic head and neck tumors and for prostate cancer. AuroLase Therapy begins with an injection of nanoshell particles into the patient’s bloodstream. After 12-24 hours — enough time for the particles to accumulate inside the tumor — an infrared laser is used to heat the particles and destroy tumor cells. Patients seeking information about the trial may visit www.cancercenter.com or call 1-866-952-4223.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month November 1st, 2012 by ifdy http://social.razoo.com/2012/11/novembe ... ess-month/ Razoo.com just wrapped up PinkGiving, a month-long breast cancer awareness campaign, where we achieved our goal of 50,000 Facebook Likes a whole 24 hours early! When the people were given a chance to make a big impact with their seemingly small act—a Facebook Like—they responded. November is full of causes using this time to mobilize supporters, spread awareness, and fundraise. And when we saw the impact the PinkGiving campaign had in the breast cancer community, we felt this was something we had to do again: give people the opportunity to use the tools they had—like their smartphones and laptops—to bring about change. So what is Razoo.com up to now? Lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, and the second leading cause of all deaths in the U.S. Yet it is one of the most under-funded areas of research. Lung cancer has a stigma attached to it; many people think those with it received it from smoking, and therefore, brought it upon themselves. However, approximately 55% of those diagnosed never smoked or were former smokers. This indicates there are other causes of lung cancer, and one of the goals of this community is to support efforts, including early detection research, to find out what the causes are and how to stop lung cancer. So, throughout this month, Razoo.com is supporting 4 lung cancer-related organizations. . . with your help! Your Facebook Like can make an impact because when we reach 70,000 likes, Razoo.com will donate an even share of $2,500 to each of these nonprofits. That’s $10,000 for those organizations pushing towards a cure for lung cancer. You can also sign up to win a Razoo Giving Card—$500, $250, or $100— which you can use to donate to one of the 4 organizations or any 501©(3) of your choice. These are the 4 organizations we’re supporting this month: – Lung Cancer Alliance – Beverly Fund – Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Foundation – LUNGevity Please take this opportunity to give a voice to those with lung cancer.

Dr. Vivek Mehta on Refining Radiation for Lung Cancer November 2nd, 2012 - by Dr. Jack West http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/11/02/me ... rt-for-lc/ Several weeks ago, Dr. Vivek Mehta, Radiation Oncologist and Director of the Center for Advanced Targeted Radiotherapies at Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle, presented a web-based summary on the evolution of radiation oncology for lung cancer. He described the historical limitations of the efficacy and safely of radiation, while describing potential ways for radiation to become more “targeted”, in terms of tighter focus on the cancer. Here are the first couple of podcasts from this discussion. Part 1 covers the history of history of radiation therapy and the key strategies for improving outcomes with radiation. Here are the video and audio versions of this podcast, along with the transcript and figures. Click link above to view video and audio links. Mehta RT for LC Pt1 Video Podcast Mehta RT for LC Pt1 Audio Podcast Mehta RT for LC Pt1 Transcript Mehta RT for LC Pt1 Figs The second part reviews the rationale for the new approach of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early stage lung cancers in patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo surgery to resect their cancer. Here are the files for it: Mehta RT for LC Pt2 Video Podcast Mehta RT for LC Pt2 Audio Podcast Mehta RT for LC Pt2 Transcript Mehta RT for LC Pt2 Figures We’ll follow with his discussion of the early successes and still open questions on the SBRT strategy. Look for more podcast material from his presentation very soon.

Lung Cancer Survivors Share Stories of Value of Early Detection and Hope for More Effective Treatments http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNa ... 10212.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Victoria Shapiro vshapiro@susandavis.com (202) 414-0774 Lung Cancer Awareness Month is National Reminder WASHINGTON (November 2, 2012) – Lung cancer survivors from across the nation have joined together through LUNGevity Foundation to share their stories and educate the public about lung cancer, the nation’s number one cancer killer that affects one in 14 Americans. The survivors demonstrate the hope that science offers for more effective lung cancer treatments and the importance of early detection. Throughout the year, but especially during November, national Lung Cancer Awareness Month, those touched by lung cancer seek to build public awareness of the disease and the need for critical research funds. LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s largest lung cancer- focused nonprofit, funds the most promising research for the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, and provides information, resources and a community to patients and caregivers. “Progress in lung cancer research is giving us reason to be hopeful,” said LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Stern Ferris. “During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the year, creating greater awareness and visibility of the disease is critical. Despite being the nation’s number one cancer killer, lung cancer receives relatively little government research funding, and LUNGevity is working to fill this gap. As our spokespeople reflect, anyone can be affected by lung cancer, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or smoking history. I hope their stories help people understand both the impact of lung cancer and the need for investing in science to help those affected.” The past decade has seen significant research-based advances in early detection and therapeutics for lung cancer patients. The 2011 National Cancer Institute’s National Lung Screening Trial showed the importance of detecting lung cancer early, and for the first time established a screening approach for a high-risk population. Progress is being made in research for the development of blood biomarkers, genome sequencing capabilities and molecular and imaging technologies to help detect the disease. Targeted therapies are greatly improving the treatment experience, including quality of life, for some lung cancer patients, and progress is being made in both immunotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy (cutting off the blood supply to lung cancer tumors). The spokespeople listed below illustrate and speak to the critical importance of early detection, the power of targeted therapies, and survivorship. Their stories illustrate the impact and the promise of ongoing research, and they are available for interviews. Early Detection: Dusty Donaldson, 58, High Point, N.C., a former smoker who quit 26 years before her diagnosis. She was diagnosed with stage 1B lung cancer in September 2005, luckily before the cancer had time to spread. She had surgery and chemotherapy and is currently cancer free. She notes, “I am compelled to find others and share with them information regarding screening for early detection; less common risk factors, such as radon exposure; and symptoms of lung cancer, so they may survive as I have.” Watch Dusty share her story here. Heather Geraghty, 26, Maple Shade, N.J., diagnosed in December 2010, with a low-grade lung cancer tumor called Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma at age 24. After experiencing persistent chest pain, a CAT scan revealed a mass in her right lung. Doctors removed two-thirds of Heather’s right lung. Nearly two years cancer-free, Geraghty has dedicated her life to sharing her story and showing that lung cancer can affect anyone, even 24 year olds. See her story here. Jan Gibson, 54, Prince Frederick, Md., a 46 year-old nonsmoker diagnosed with the Adenocarcinoma form of non- small cell lung cancer in 2005. After experiencing chest pain on her right side, she went to the emergency room, concerned she was having a heart attack. Doctors discovered a mass, stage 1A lung cancer, and removed a portion of her left lung. The day of her surgery, she was so that worried she wrote her daughters goodbye letters, “just in case.” She has been cancer-free ever since. See her story here. Targeted Therapies: Baltimore Orioles Public Relations Director Monica Barlow, 35, Ellicott City, Md., has never smoked, yet she was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in 2009, when she couldn’t shake a nagging cough. Her tumors had the ALK mutation, and she was treated with the targeted drug now known as crizotinib as an example of personalized medicine. With this treatment, she is able to control her disease. Monica shares her story to help others affected and show the impact of lung cancer research for creating more effective treatments. Jeff Wigbels, 63, Atlanta, Ga., a nonsmoker, triathlete and marathon runner diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2006, the day before his wife’s due date for their second child. Jeff’s cancer had metastasized to his abdomen, chest and brain. He began a series of personalized treatment trials at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and, by 2008, the only remaining cancer in his body was the original tumor in his lungs. After discovering that his tumor had the ALK mutation, Jeff took part in another clinical trial with a targeted therapy drug. He has since participated in a number of clinical trials that have helped him, and he is nearly cancer free. With a deep desire to give back and educate others, Jeff founded Take Aim at Cancer to raise money for lung cancer research and awareness of personalized, targeted cancer treatments and is partnering with LUNGevity Foundation. Matt Ellefson, 50, Sioux Falls, S.D., diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in 2009 and given eight months to live if untreated. As a never smoker living a healthy lifestyle, he was shocked by his diagnosis. After completing aggressive treatments, his cancer went into remission. When it reoccurred, he started targeted gene therapy and is currently on a targeted drug. He credits his current good health to the wisdom of his doctors; his strong faith in God; a healthy and fit lifestyle (he runs half marathons); and the peace that comes with helping others. Ellefson volunteers with LUNGevity to help others impacted by lung cancer. Watch his story here. Survivorship: Jerry Sorkin, Bethesda, Md., 47, a three-time cancer survivor and never smoker. He was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in August 2007. When he was in high school he was treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with a recurrence in college. A CEB executive and father of two young daughters, he founded LUNGevity’s Breathe Deep DC walk, the largest lung cancer event in the area, as a way to help the lung cancer community share, remember, heal, and support the fight against the deadly disease. Watch him tell his story, here. Jon Filbert, 35, Sanger, Texas, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 during his pre-surgery X-rays for thyroid cancer. His doctor’s eyes were red from crying when he delivered the news to Jon. Jon has been treated with targeted therapy and was also in a chemotherapy trial with a Novartis drug. His wife and friends have steadfastly supported him in his four-year battle against the disease. Watch his video here. Jose Rodriguez, 52, Columbus, Ohio, was diagnosed with stage II non- small cell lung cancer in 2011. He had surgery followed by four rounds of chemotherapy. Currently, there is no evidence of the disease. “Lung cancer is an extremely isolating disease,” he says. “It really affects you in such an emotional way. My greatest source of hope has been seeing people with lung cancer survive, and show me how to live with the disease.” Watch him share his story here. LUNGevity Foundation has the largest grants award program for lung cancer research among lung cancer-focused nonprofit organizations in the United States. In the past two years alone, LUNGevity has awarded over $5 million to the most promising lung cancer research projects. The organization also has the largest online support community for lung cancer patients and their loved ones. The Foundation continues growing a strong lung cancer community, both online and through its nationwide events. The organization hosts over 60 grassroots events across the nation each year, not only raising critical research funds and heightened awareness of the disease, but also helping to educate the public about lung cancer’s tragic impact. During November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, LUNGevity is hosting 14 Breathe Deep walks, providing a place for those impacted by the disease to share, hope and heal. Lung cancer takes more lives annually than breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers combined. In fact, with one in 14 Americans diagnosed in his or her lifetime and currently only a 16% five-year survival rate, the number of people who die from lung cancer is equal to having a jumbo jet fall from the sky every single day. More than half the people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or have already quit smoking. There is currently no widely-available, cost-effective early diagnostic test for the disease. About LUNGevity Foundation The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer. It does so by supporting critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as by providing information, resources and a support community to patients and caregivers. LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer. For more information about the grants or LUNGevity Foundation, please visit www.lungevity.org. About Lung Cancer 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers Only 16% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves dramatically

Do you think exercise is beneficial when diagnosed with lung cancer? Thoughts? Benefits of Home Exercise for People With Stage 4 Lung Cancer and Colon Cancer http://lungcancer.about.com/b/2012/10/1 ... cancer.htm By Lynne Eldridge MD, About.com Guide October 11, 2012 Nobody needs to look far to hear about the benefits of exercise. But what about situations in which exercise is the last thing on anyone's mind. For example, if you are coping with stage 4 lung cancer or stage 4 colon cancer? It's a really important question. Living with stage 4 cancer often means you don't feel up to much exercising. And, though I hate to speak what many of us may be thinking, is it really worth talking about exercise when someone may have limited time left here on earth? It appears the answer is yes. Researchers looked at the benefits of home exercise among people living with stage 4 lung cancer and colon cancer. These patients had an initial visit to talk about exercise, and then began to exercise 4 or more days a week. They were contacted every 2 weeks by telephone, and during those calls, the amount of exercise each person did was advanced as deemed appropriate to their situation. Benefits of exercise were clearly noted, and included: Increased mobility Improved fatigue Improved sleep quality No significant difference was found in ability to perform daily activities, pain level, or quality of life between those in the exercise group and those in the control group who did not exercise. I was pleased to hear the results of this study. As someone without stage 4 cancer it's difficult to encourage people living with advanced disease to exercise. And since exercise is often more enjoyable when done together, perhaps this study can encourage those of us without stage 4 disease to invite someone with stage 4 cancer to join us for a walk.

Teri says "If I had a nickel for every MEDICAL provider who asked me if I had been a smoker, I’m pretty sure I could pay for a chemo treatment." Has your doctor ever upset you? If so, how?

Lung Cancer Community to Gather on National Mall for LUNGevity's Fourth Annual Breathe Deep DC Walk to Fight Lung Cancer FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Victoria Shapiro vshapiro@susandavis.com (202) 414-0774 http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNa ... 02312.html NEWS4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer to emcee WASHINGTON (October 23,2012) – Hundreds of people whose lives have been impacted by lung cancer will come together Sunday, November 4, 2012 on the National Mall for LUNGevity’s fourth annual Breathe Deep DC 5 k walk, the largest event in the area for those impacted by the disease. Breathe Deep DC provides the lung cancer community a place to share, hope and heal, as it raises awareness for the disease and funds for research seeking early detection and more effective treatments. Event day check-in starts at 9 a.m. at the Washington Monument grounds at the Sylvan Theater; program begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk kicks-off at 10 a.m. – rain or shine. LUNGevity is the nation’s largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, and Breathe Deep DC is one of 13 LUNGevity Breathe Deep events happening across the country during November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Bethesda, Md. resident Jerry Sorkin, a young father of two, who as a nonsmoker was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2007 conceived of Breathe Deep DC, noting the lack of community building experiences for those impacted. He is again chairing the event which has raised nearly $1,000,000 for lung cancer research in its three year existence. NEWS4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer, whose family has been impacted by lung cancer, will emcee the walk’s program for the second year and join in the walk. Also for the second year, the Walter Johnson High School Concert Choir will participate in the program, in memory of 16 year old chorus member Margot Cohen’s mother. Margot’s mother lost her battle with stage IV lung cancer last July. “When I started this walk four years ago, there were no D.C. area community events to help lung cancer survivors and their loved ones,” said Jerry Sorkin. “It’s heartening to see this walk grow every year, as more lung cancer survivors and those affected by the disease join. The funds we raise here are going into research that is giving the lung cancer community hope.” The walk will also feature a kid’s tent, where children can participate in a variety of fun activities, such as face painting and an obstacle course. Dogs are welcome and encouraged to come. The first 125 dogs accompanied by owners will receive a special “I’m Fur a Cure” dog t-shirt. “It is crucial that the lung cancer community comes together, tells their stories and supports one another and critical research,” said LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Stern Ferris. “Every day, scientists are learning more and more about those who are diagnosed with the disease, smokers and nonsmokers alike. We’re in a place where progress in research is giving all of us a reason to be hopeful. Lung cancer takes more lives annually than breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers combined. In fact, with one in 14 Americans diagnosed in his or her lifetime, the number of people who die from lung cancer is equal to having a jumbo jet fall from the sky every single day. More than half the people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or have already quit smoking. There is no widely available and cost effective early diagnostic test, and only 16 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer survive five or more years post-diagnosis. Community members participating: Gaithersburg, Md. resident Valerie Beckett lost her husband John to stage IV lung cancer January 15, 2012. He was the love of her life. Always active in the community, John learned about LUNGevity when he was searching for opportunities to help raise awareness for the disease, and the two walked in last year’s Breathe Deep DC. John planned to become more involved with LUNGevity when he got better, but sadly the disease spread and quickly took his life. Valerie, John’s sisters and friends are walking in his honor on team Johnny's Earth Angels, to help raise funds for research and spread awareness of the disease. “John would have wanted it,” said Valerie. Breathe Deep DC Committee Member, Arlington, Va. resident Sara Sidransky lost her mother to lung cancer in August 2011. “My mom was a bright, energetic and seemingly healthy 53-year-old woman. I never knew that nonsmokers could develop lung cancer until she was diagnosed in 2010,” said Sidransky. “Unfortunately by the time the doctors caught it, the disease had metastasized extensively to the liver, bones, spinal cord and brain.” Sara, family and friends are walking on Team Sidransky in her mother’s honor. Fayetteville, Pa. resident Lauren Wicks, lost both parents to lung cancer. She recalls her father connecting with Jerry Sorkin at the 2009 walk, and cutting the survivor ribbon to start the walk. She says, “I had no idea how prevalent the disease was, or that the prognosis was so poor, or that you don’t have to smoke to be at risk, and that early detection almost doesn’t exist. We have an obligation as human beings to figure this out. One life lost is one too many.” Michael Osborne of Columbia, Md. is a stage IV lung cancer survivor. He was diagnosed in 2008, after the results of a chest x-ray for an earlier surgery revealed a large tumor. He went through two surgeries, including the lobectomy of his upper right lung, and rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. In January 2009, he was pronounced lung cancer free. However, it was recommended he undergo three weeks of prophylactic brain radiation in case the cancer had spread without being detected. Almost five years later, Michael is doing well, thanks to the aggressive treatment of his disease. He is planning a Breathe Deep event in Columbia, Md. for April 20, 2013. He and his family have been participating in Breathe Deep DC since 2009. Breathe Deep DC is made possible through the support of sponsors such as CEB (Presenting Sponsor) and Everything but Water (Diamond Sponsor) Follow Breathe Deep DC online at facebook.com/lungevitydcwalk and twitter.com/breathedeepdc What: LUNGevity’s Breathe Deep DC 5K Walk Where: National Mall When: Sunday, November 4, 2012 *Check-in: 9 am *Program begins: 9:30 am *Walk begins: 10 am For more information: Please visit, www.lungevity.org/DC To coordinate interviews with LUNGevity spokespersons and walk participants, please contact Victoria Shapiro: 202-414-0774 (office); 216-712-1926 (cell) or email, vshapiro@susandavis.com About LUNGevity Foundation The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer. It does so by supporting critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as by providing information, resources and a support community to patients and caregivers. LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer. For more information about the grants or LUNGevity Foundation, please visit www.lungevity.org. About Lung Cancer 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers Only 16% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves dramatically

Dr. Silvestri, Pulmonologist, on Pulmonary Complications of Treatment for Lung Cancer October 29th, 2012 - by Dr. Jack West http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/10/29/si ... -of-lc-rx/ My friend, Dr. Gerard Silvestri, a pulmonologist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, did a live webinar with us a few months ago on the topic of pulmonary complications from lung cancer therapy. Here is his presentations, split in two parts. The first half of his presentation covers chemotherapy-induced pneumonitis (lung inflammation), a topic that doesn’t get a lot of discussion but is a problem for a minority of patients. Here it is in both video and audio podcast formats, as well as the transcript and figures from the program. (Click link above to view podcasts and transcripts.) Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 1 Video Podcast Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 1 Audio Podcast Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 1 Transcript Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 1 Figs The second half of his presentation briefly covered pulmonary complications of targeted therapies for lung cancer, followed by a good discussion of the common problem of radiation pneumonitis and how it is typically managed. Here are the video and audio versions of the podcasts, again accompanied by the transcript and figures for the program. (Click link above to view podcasts and transcripts.) Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 2 Video Podcast Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 2 Audio Podcast Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 2 Transcript Dr. Silvestri Pulm Complics LC Rx Pt 2 Figs I hope people find this program helpful. We’ll be moving on to our next webinar, with Dr. Vivek Mehta covering refinements in increasingly targeted radiation therapy approaches for lung cancer, so look for those podcasts here soon.

If Lung Cancer Screening Helps Some, Should We Screen Everyone? No, and Here’s Why Not October 28th, 2012 - by Dr. Jack West http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/10/28/lc ... t-not-all/ A post on About.com suggests that screening for lung cancer only the higher risk population of just those people 55-75 with a significant smoking history, as was done in the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST), would miss nearly 3 of 4 lung cancers. The implication from the argument in the piece is that broader screening across of a wider range of ages and smoking history is appropriate, since it should detect more lung cancer and improve outcomes. While it’s true that it can detect more cancers, that doesn’t mean that this is a good idea. Before I explain why, I’d like to emphasize that I am a proponent of lung cancer screening for an appropriate population and think it’s underutilized now. Nevertheless, It is categorically incorrect to presume that broadening screening to a wider population will lead to better outcomes. How can that be? The NLST paper document a 20% improvement in overall survival in the screened population, who had a significant risk for lung cancer as defined by being old enough to have a greater probability of developing cancer, young enough to not have a high probability of competing risks limiting the ability to be treated for lung cancer, and enough of a smoking history that nodules found by screening would have a real probability of representing cancer vs. a benign finding like inflammation, infection, prior scarring, etc. Decades of studies on lung cancer screening have clearly illustrated that chest CT scans detects many nodules that are not cancer; this leads to additional scans, a significant risk of pursuing invasive tests to chase down findings, and very real anxiety in those affected. There may also be some potential risk from the radiation administered with scanning, which we want to be minimal, and which is undefined over the long term. Screening for any cancer makes sense if you can focus on the people with a high enough risk that the benefit exceeds the risks. But there are risks, and not just the cost of doing CT scans tens of thousands of additional people every year (though that isn’t trivial). If screening is applied more broadly, to a group at low risk for actually having cancer, or not being fit enough to pursue treatment for a cancer detected early (such as a 79 year-old with significant heart disease), the beneficial effects of screening become diluted by the negative consequences that aren’t necessarily counterbalanced by a high enough upside from screening. The yield of screening will decline dramatically if it is applied to younger patients and never-smokers or those with a minimal smoking history. Here, there is likely to be a far greater probability that any suspicious findings will entail the repeat scans, interventions, and anxiety without sufficient probability that the findings will prove to actually be cancer. So while more lung cancers could be detected if screening is pursued for a very broad population, the survival benefit would be diluted and could even lost in the face of a small but real risk from complications from invasive procedures or radiation over years and years of scans that aren’t demonstrated to improve survival in a younger or older population, or those with a minimal or no smoking history. In clinical practice today, I see lung cancer screening being woefully underutilized today despite the evidence to support it. I believe this is because most primary care physicians and very possibly most insurers remain unconvinced that the benefit is really “worth it” for the cost of the intervention. I think that’s quite unfortunate, but diluting the benefit by screening a much lower risk population will only lead to greater skepticism. The evidence supports screening a population with a high enough risk of lung cancer…but screening more people isn’t necessarily better.

A Message to Lung Cancer Professionals October 15th, 2012 - by admin http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/10/15/a- ... essionals/ Teri Simon, who is surviving stage IV lung cancer, gave a speech to an audience of medical professionals recently. We are honored to be able to share it with you. “On December 2, 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of my right lung. It was a stunning diagnosis, mostly because I had NO predisposing factors for any kind of cancer whatsoever, let alone LUNG CANCER. Over the next couple of months, as I tried to recover from that shock and became a subject in a clinical trial for Tarceva (yes, I am an EGFR mutant), I recalled an old, old riddle: Why did the Flying Elephant crash to the ground? Because somebody told him that elephants can’t fly. It occurred to me that perhaps one way to survive this Lung Junk business was to combine just the right amounts of realism, denial, and hope together. Thus, I became a Flying Elephant. (Teri Simon has written two books, has an active blog and speaks to patients and medical professionals as someone surviving stage IV lung cancer) “In addition to being a Flying Elephant, I am a number of other things: a mom, a social worker, a friend, a writer, and a Jew. When I was young, my mom was my Hebrew teacher. She taught that the central part of a Jewish prayer service, the Amidah, was broken down into 3 segments: Goodies, Gimmes, and Thank You’s. Goodies are the sucking up to God part: God is great, God is awesome, yay, God. Gimmes are petitions: Gimme this, gimme that. Thank you’s are self-explanatory. So here are the Lung Cancer Goodies: Man, y’all (medical professionals/researchers) ROCK! I participated as an audience member in a LUNGevity webinar a few weeks ago. One of the researchers announced that he’d been working in the field for 15 years, but that it’s been in the past 2 or 3 years that advances have been made at lightning speed. It made me think back to when I was first diagnosed. I never asked “Why me?” but I often asked “Why now?” Lately, I recognize how lucky I am to have been diagnosed now, now when advances and new discoveries are a daily experience, when there have never before been so many treatment options, so many options for personalized treatment. It’s because of YOUR efforts, YOUR imaginations, YOUR drive, YOUR collaborations. Like I said before, y’all ROCK! Now the Gimmes….Y’all, I have a loooooooong list of petitions, but for the sake of time, here are my top 5 requests: Consider taking tobacco OUT of the lung cancer equation. I spent my life believing that if I never smoked, ate right, and exercised, lung cancer would never happen to me. Well, I was misled. I was duped. I was wrong. If I had a nickel for every MEDICAL provider who asked me if I had been a smoker, I’m pretty sure I could pay for a chemo treatment. Sometimes it doesn’t matter WHY we get a disease, especially when it can’t be UN-DONE. Sometimes it only matters THAT we have the disease, and what we’re going to do about it. The smoking stigma doesn’t help, in fact, it hurts. A lot. As if I deserved this….Anyway, please consider taking tobacco out of the equation. Appreciate your study subjects, especially in Phase I trials. These people are literally risking their lives to help make a difference in someone else’s. This deserves gratitude, reverence, attention, and kindness. Your advances are spectacular, but they’d be impossible without those brave study souls. Collaborate your efforts and check your ego at the door! You’re brilliant and dedicated; that’s undeniable. But if you work in a bubble and insist on things being “my way or the highway,” you will never appreciate the fullness of discoveries that only happen through sharing. Researcher A might have part of a question answered, but without Researcher B, the rest of the question remains a mystery. Work together and ALL of you can get the Nobel Prize you deserve! Don’t forget your humanity. You have lives, your subjects have lives, your patients have lives. Those lives now intersect. Lung cancer sucks. It’s scary and painful and deadly. You might be immersed in numbers and facts all day, but your patients, well, they’re only living THEIR lives, so your “old” information is “new” to them. Please try to remember that in your interactions. To you, it may be all numbers. To us, it’s our lives. Your compassion is VITAL. Truly. Care for one another. The only way we, any of us, can manage through this lung junk is if we support one another. The day you experience a clinical triumph may be the very day a colleague suffers the loss of a patient. You know it happens like that. I encourage you to support one another, celebrate together, mourn together. It’s how you’ll keep the drive to keep going. So now, the Thank you’s. This is the really easy part: Thank you for getting up every day and being willing to beat your heads against a wall of frustration. Thank you for hoping against hope for your patients. Thank you for thinking outside of the box to get the job done. Thank you for your passion, compassion, brilliance, drive, and ability. We appreciate you. Please don’t stop.”

Defining the Right Population for Lung Cancer Screening: Why Shouldn’t it be Everyone? http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/10/20/de ... -everyone/ October 20th, 2012 - by Dr. Jack West A commentary piece on About.com suggests that CT screening being restricted to a population with a significantly increased risk of lung cancer, such as people age 55-75 with a significant smoking history that were the subject of the the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) published in the New England Journal of Medicine last year, only detects approximately a quarter of the lung cancer out there. This post implies that broadening CT screening efforts to a wider range of ages and smoking history would be appropriate in order to detect more lung cancer and improve outcomes. I need to clarify that while I consider myself a clear proponent of lung cancer screening for a defined population, it is a profound mistake to presume that screening more people is definitely better. It may well be worse. Why might that be? The NLST documents a 20% improvement in overall survival in the screened population, who had a significant risk for lung cancer as defined by being old enough to have a greater probability of developing cancer but not too old to be especially likely to have competing serious health risks that limit the ability to tolerate treatments for lung cancer, and they also had enough of a smoking history (30 “pack-years”) that nodules found by screening would have a meaningful probability of representing cancer vs. a benign finding like inflammation, infection, prior scarring, etc., which is always a real possibility. We know that CT screening for lung cancer detects many lung nodules that are not cancer; this is associated with additional scans, a significant risk of pursuing invasive tests to chase down findings, and significant anxiety in those affected. There is also some potential risk, still not really well defined over the long term, from the radiation administered with scanning. Screening for any cancer makes sense if you can focus on the people with a high enough probability of having what you’re trying to find that the benefit exceeds the risks. But there are risks, which aren’t just limited to the very real financial cost of doing CT scans tens of thousands of additional people every year. If screening is applied to a broader group with a lower probability of actually having cancer (such as looking at younger patients and those with a less significant smoking history, or even never-smokers), or not being fit enough to pursue treatment for a cancer detected early (such as a 79 year-old with significant heart disease), the more likely that the screening effort will confer negative consequences without the benefits. In other words, screening will be a lower yield proposition if applied to a broader population, and there is a far greater probability that any suspicious findings will entail the repeat scans, interventions, and anxiety without sufficient probability of a real cancer to counterbalance those factors. While it would be possible to identify more lung cancers by doing more and more CT scans, the survival benefit would be diluted and potentially even lost in the face of a small but real risk from complications from invasive procedures or radiation over years and years. In the real world today, lung cancer screening has yet to be widely accepted and pursued, at least where I practice, in spite of the real evidence to support it. This is likely because of cost issues related to who should pay for these scans, as well as the belief expressed by many primary care physicians, and perhaps also insurers, that the benefit isn’t truly “worth it” for the cost of the intervention. That’s a shame, but this situation will only be made worse by diluting the benefit by screening into an overly broad population in whom the vast majority of questionable nodules will lead to a lot of anxiety, additional scans, and potentially invasive procedures that will likely be more likely to ultimately document a benign process. The evidence supports screening a population with a high enough probability of actually having lung cancer…but it’s a mistake to presume that screening more people will lead to better outcomes. It may lead primarily to more scans, more cost, more radiation, more procedures, and a lot more people subjected to the anxiety of being told they have nodules that need to be evaluated further.