FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida –November 17, 2016—According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lung cancer is the deadliest cancer as well as the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness month, and Board Certified Pulmonologist, Dr. Christopher Chaney, states that finding this cancer early is key.
"Sadly, more people die of lung cancer than any other cancer," said Dr. Chaney. "This is true because the vast majority of lung cancer is identified at a late stage when treatment options are limited and complete removal of the cancerous tissue is not possible."
Dr. Chaney notes that although many people with lung cancer often do not have symptoms until the cancer is advanced, symptoms may include:
According to the CDC, 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with lung cancer, and more than 150,000 die from this disease each year. Additionally, 80 to 90 percent of lung cancers are linked with cigarette smoking.
"Fortunately, great strides have been made recently in the treatment of lung cancer that help people to live longer with the disease," said Dr. Chaney. "However, despite these advances, the best outcomes are observed when the cancer is caught early and can be surgically removed."
Dr. Chaney encourages you to talk to your doctor about a lung cancer screening if you are a smoker, have a family history of lung cancer and/or you are experiencing any of the lung cancer symptoms listed above.
"The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial recently found that screening high risk patients with low dose CT scans resulted in an approximately 20 percent reduction in lung cancer deaths," said Dr. Chaney. "It is a very exciting time to be in Pulmonary Medicine due to the recent advancements in treatment and detection of lung cancer. With early identification of lung cancer and advanced bronchoscopic treatment techniques, we can make a substantial impact in patient survival."
For more information about Dr. Christopher Chaney and the White-Wilson Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine Clinic, visit www.white-wilson.com/pulmonary.htm; or call (850) 243-0118 to schedule an appointment with a White-Wilson Pulmonologist.
About the White-Wilson Medical Center:
White-Wilson Medical Center is a multi-specialty physician group, and has been serving Florida's Emerald Coast for 70 years. WWMC is home to your community's largest team of physicians, collaborating for your good health in more than 20 different specialties. With multiple locations throughout Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville and Navarre, White-Wilson provides a range of health care services to fit most needs. White-Wilson employs state-of-the-art technology, coupled with skilled and experienced providers, friendly and caring staff, and the convenience of "one-stop" shopping. Visit www.white-wilson.com for a list of specialties and services.
