{"id":118890,"date":"2016-11-09T08:31:48","date_gmt":"2016-11-09T13:31:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=118890"},"modified":"2022-06-22T08:52:21","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T12:52:21","slug":"early-detection-lung-cancer-saves-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2016\/11\/early-detection-lung-cancer-saves-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Detection of Lung Cancer Saves Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"

UConn Health\u2019s Lung Cancer Screening Program<\/a> is urging current and former heavy smokers to get screened for the disease with a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan.<\/p>\n

\u201cLow-dose CT is a very powerful screening tool for giving doctors higher-definition and clearer imaging of the lungs,\u201d says Dr. Omar Ibrahim<\/a>, the newly appointed director of thoracic oncology at UConn Health\u2019s Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center<\/a> who specializes in interventional pulmonology care.<\/p>\n

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More Americans die of lung cancer than of breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. — Dr. Omar Ibrahim<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThis screening tool can make sure a high risk patient\u2019s lungs are clear from the disease, or detect it at its earliest stages,\u201d says Ibrahim. \u201cEarly detection is a patient\u2019s best chance for a lung cancer cure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The biggest risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. According to the CDC, 9 out of 10 lung cancers are linked to the smoking of tobacco. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women. In 2016, the American Cancer Society expects the disease to claim more than 158,000 more American lives and lead to 224,000 new diagnoses.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot everyone realizes that more Americans die of lung cancer than of breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined,\u201d says Ibrahim.<\/p>\n

Lung cancer lesions are often identified as an incidental finding when a patient undergoes a chest x-ray or another imaging test for a different medical need. Also, way too often the disease is diagnosed in its advanced stages and after symptoms such as a heavy cough, coughing up blood, or shortness of breath present.<\/p>\n

\u201cFifty percent of the time, when we find lung cancer it is already at an advanced stage and surgery to remove it is not an option,\u201d says Ibrahim. \u201cOur goal is to find lung cancer at its earliest stage so we can have options to treat it and cure it.\u201d<\/p>\n

If a low-dose CT scan catches a suspicious lung nodule or growth, Ibrahim leverages minimally invasive techniques to rule out lung cancer, or diagnose and identify what stage the disease is at. In the exam room he is able to use video-guided 3D navigational bronchoscopy technology and ultrasound technology to closely examine a patient\u2019s lung tissue, using a thin, flexible tube via the nose or mouth. The technology also allows for small lung tissue biopsy samples to be garnered.<\/p>\n