Lung Cancer: Some Facts You Should Know.

I thought I’d break briefly from pure nutrition to talk about lung cancer, though I’ll suggest the two are definitely related!  My goal is to inform, and to build awareness for what I consider to be one of the most alarming trends in health today.  Cancer of any kind is scary and terrible, but most of us know far less about lung cancer than we should. 

Here is my beautiful mom – she looks not a day over 30, right?  So lucky I’m her offspring.

She’s 58, has never smoked in her life, and is otherwise completely healthy.  But on June 22 of this year, she was diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung, a form of non-small cell lung cancer.  Talk about a shock. 

A few more facts and figures that may shock you as well:

The Statistics 

(Source: LUNGevity)

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity.
• Lung cancer impacts one in 14 Americans and kills more than breast, prostate, colorectal, leukemia, and melanoma cancers combined.
• Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer, and more than twice 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.
• Lung cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancer diagnoses but 27% of all cancer deaths.

Adenocarcinoma, the form my mom has, is on the rise among young, female never smokers according to this recent Harvard study.  Worth a read.  So yes, it is relevant to us all.

Also, about 85% of lung cancer can be attributed to smoking.  Given the prevalence among smokers, I think we get at least two unfair and unfortunate bi-products:

1. There is a stigma.  It kinda drives me crazy when the first question people ask is whether my mom is a smoker, and yet it’s the first tidbit I offer if they don’t ask (NO! She never smoked!)  I’m equally guilty, and yet obviously the disease is no less awful and no more deserved by a smoker than a non-smoker. 
2. Research dollars are hard to come by.  Perhaps because the majority of cases are at least partly preventable, when counted in terms of research dollars per cancer death, lung cancer comes up in the loser’s slot

FY 2010 Federal Research Dollars 
Per Death

So perhaps it won’t be a surprise to learn that survival rates have not improved as they have for other types of cancer.  They’re still bad. 

Five Year Survival Rates ...
Little Progress for Lung Cancer

Federal spending from the combines FY2010 research dollars of the National Cancer Institute, Department of Defense and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Estimated cancer deaths from the American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2010. 5-year survival rates [based on year of diagnosis] from the SEER Cancer Statistics Review 1975-2008. Source: Lungevity.org

On top of that, early detection strategies are being considered, but are costly and come with their own risks (e.g. CT scans and radiation), and there are few symptoms in early stages of the disease.  As a result, many cases are caught too late for surgery or radiation.  I like to think things are changing on that front - they have to, right?  For example, last month, Arizona recognized this company for their new and promising technology for early detection of lung cancer without x-rays .  Woo hoo!  We want more!

After much research, thought, and prayer, my mom opted not to do intravenous chemotherapy.  Instead, she takes a pill once daily that targets her cancer directly, but doesn't wreck her immune system, and doesn't cause her to be sick or lose her hair.  Not to mention the countless other horrendous side effects of traditional chemotherapy.  Perhaps as (more?) importantly, she’s completely changed what she puts in her mouth, and she’s adopted yoga and light exercise to keep her body and mind in tip top shape.  Doctors weren’t sure what to expect, but most of them thought “maintenance” of the cancer would be a success given its pattern and advanced stage.  Guess what?  After a few months of complete diet overhaul, targeted supplements prescribed by the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment in Chicago, and her Tarceva, the cancer is 50% gone.  50%!!  We have learned beyond the shadow of a doubt that that the mind, body, and spirit are inextricably linked.  She has taken control and is kicking cancer's booty.  She’s an outlier already, and she’ll continue to be one.  She’s a rockstar. 

Most of what I’ll share on nutrition and wellness in this blog will be what I’ve learned through my mom’s journey so far.  I have been living at home with her for the past 6 ish months on a leave from work, co-creating her diet and wellness plan with her, and doing it myself as well.  (I have the world's best husband and employer).  We both feel like a million bucks.   Really.  She’s the epitome of, and the continued inspiration for, being Very Almost Healthy!

Thanks for reading.  If you learned anything new, go tell someone else!  Spread the word, build awareness.  It helps!  And if you’re looking for ways to deploy your charitable giving dollars next year, consider LUNGevity.  I’m not affiliated with them, but find them to be an amazing organization and they are funding research for early detection and targeted treatment specifically for lung cancer.  Or, when the weather turns warm again, participate in one of their “Breathe Deep” 5Ks in your local area.  We did a bunch this year as a family and had a great time!  If my mom, our adorable and aging beagle, and all of us can run or walk 3.125 miles, so can you.