Diagnosis & treatment

In 2004, after the discovery of mutations in the EGFR gene in lung cancer, the FDA approved a targeted therapy that increased survival in EGFR-positive NSCLC patients. However, the tumors inevitably became resistant to the treatment, and the cancer returned unchecked.

At LUNGevity, we are incredibly excited to welcome 2019 and see what advances this new year will bring! As we look forward, it’s important to remember all the advancements that 2018 brought us. 

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 15% of all lung cancers and is found most often in people with a history of tobacco exposure. Patients with late-stage SCLC often respond so well to initial treatments that the cancer usually regresses and can even become undetectable in some cases. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of these cases, the cancer soon returns aggressively and is then resistant to treatment.

When you are undergoing lung cancer treatment, food may not be as desirable. This is especially true if your taste has diminished or changed. Adding herbs and spices to your foods can help enhance the flavors and make them more enjoyable to eat. But did you know that certain spices are beneficial for your health as a lung cancer patient? Below are a just a few spices and herbs to consider when cooking or preparing your meals to benefit your health and nutritional status.

Dr. Joshua Campbell has been immersed in the field of lung cancer for several years and wanted to find a better way to diagnose squamous cell lung cancer patients, a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, while the cancer is in early stages. “There is a huge need for research in this area,” he notes. “Improving early detection techniques will be key to improving survival rates for patients with squamous cell lung cancer.”

September 2018 ended with a bang! The 19th World Conference for Lung Cancer was hosted in Toronto, summer unofficially ended in New York, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved another drug, dacomitinib, for lung cancer … I am sure I am missing a few things.

A newly diagnosed patient with advanced-stage adenocarcinoma, a sub-type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), may have their biopsy tissue tested for known biomarkers. The oncologist requests biomarker testing to look for changes in cancer cells to help personalize the patient’s treatment. Patients that are positive for biomarkers such as PD-L1 and EGFR have seen a lot of progress in treatment options over the last five years. However, targeted treatments for the KRAS mutation haven’t yet arrived.

Adequate nutrition is an important factor in lung cancer treatment, and a major player in adequate nutrition is protein. Whether you are undergoing treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy or are a lung cancer survivor, protein can help you in multiple ways.  In this article, we will review why protein is important, what foods are high in protein, and tips to getting enough protein while undergoing treatment.

Why is Protein Important?

Last weekend, close to 40,000 oncology professionals, including superstar lung cancer researchers (many of whom are members of LUNGevity’s Scientific Advisory Board), gathered in Chicago to attend the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates the nation's largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,700 hospitals, clinics, community living centers, and other facilities. In 2017, the U.S. veteran population totaled over 20 million. This includes people who have performed many types of military service under a variety of conditions. Unfortunately, American veterans are disproportionately affected by lung cancer, making lung cancer a major concern for many veterans and their families.