Lung Cancer Awareness

Month

1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

November is dedicated to increasing public understanding of lung cancer, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention and treatment options.

Please note: The information presented here is not all-inclusive. Rather, it represents a starting point to learn

more about medical conditions and treatment options. There is no substitute for consulting a medical professional.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

The Facts:

•  It is estimated that smoking is the principal cause of

about 90% of lung cancer in men and almost 80% in women.

 •  About 226,160 new cases of lung cancer will be

diagnosed in 2012 (116,470 in men and 109,690 in women).

•  Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of most lung cancers, but there are other factors, too. Exposure to asbestos, radon, environmental factors or secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.

Risk Factors Prevention •  Tobacco use. •  Secondhand smoke from

others’ cigarettes. •  Radon gas in the home. •  Chronic lung disease such

as emphysema. •  Family history or increased

age.  

•  Don't smoke. If you do smoke, quit now.

•  Avoid secondhand smoke.

There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure.

•  Have your home tested for

radon and take corrective action if high levels are found.

•  Follow screening guidelines recommended by the American Lung Association.

 

1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

Lung Cancer Treatment Options Surgery: Some patients have small tumors that can be removed surgically, but they may suffer from other medical problems that prevent them from being surgical candidates or they may be opposed to surgery. In these cases, important treatment options like CyberKnife® offer an alternative.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic radiosurgery systems like the CyberKnife® can offer effective treatment of lung tumors while carrying a low risk of side effects. Treatment is noninvasive, spares healthy tissue and typically involves three to five outpatient procedures.

External-Beam Radiation Therapy: For patients who cannot tolerate surgery, external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is an option, although this treatment can be lengthy and difficult for some patients to endure. EBRT delivers focused radiation to a tumor but also encompasses a large margin of normal tissue.

Our Center

Illinois CyberKnife is part of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s renowned Cancer Care Center, located in the Center for Advanced Care on the hospital’s campus. Our doctors are board-certified in radiation oncology and have several areas of specialty, including head and neck cancers, prostate cancer and lung cancer.

Medical Director: Dr. Arica Hirsch CyberKnife Nurse: Linda Green, BS RN

Other Resources

1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com