Talking Points for Media

The face of lung cancer is not what you think:

• 50% of new cases are former smokers, many who quit decades ago
• another 10 - 15% have never smoked
• veterans are at higher risk with a 25% higher mortality rate

In 2008 162,000 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, aunts, uncles and friends will die of lung cancer

• Including about 25,000 who never smoked, roughly 2/3 of which are women.

Lung cancer is the HIGHEST cause of cancer deaths

• more deaths than breast, prostate, colon and liver cancers combined
• one in every three cancer deaths
• three times as many men as prostate cancer 
• twice as many women as breast cancer.

Only 16% of all new cases are being diagnosed at an early stage when lung cancer is curable.

The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is still only 15% while the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is 90%, for prostate cancer 99% and for colon cancer 66%

• lung cancer is the least funded of these cancers

Why?  Stigma of smoking and small number of survivors/advocates

• Blame the victim mentality similar to AIDs.
• most new patients die within a year because of late diagnosis
• no priority or sense of urgency within federal research agencies

NO ONE deserves lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Early Detection

Lung cancer rarely shows obvious symptoms, such as bloody sputum, until it has reached late stage. The International Early Lung Cancer Action Project (I-ELCAP) began studying CT scanning as a method of detecting lung cancer early in a high risk population in 1993.  Since then over 50,000 scans from 30,000 people screened in 40 I-ELCAP sites in 26 states and 8 foreign countries were analyzed and technological advances in imaging incorporated as they occurred. The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on October 26, 2006, indicated that CT scans could detect the earliest stage of lung cancer (Stage I) in 85% of  those diagnosed, and those treated within a year of diagnosis had  92% 10-year survival rates. These results have been confirmed by studies in Europe, Japan and Taiwan.

However, in the United States, CT screening for lung cancer has generated opposition from those who claim that only a randomized controlled trial (RCT) such as the one started by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 2001 (comparing CT screening to chest x-rays) can accurately measure the impact on mortality.

• RCT’s have still failed to resolve the mortality impact debate over mammography for women under 50 or for PSA testing for prostate cancer, yet both tests have been widely promoted.
• The results of the NCI study were supposed to be made public in 2009. However, that date was recently moved, without explanation, to 2012 or beyond.
• Preliminary results of a large European RCT confirm the I-ELCAP results

LCA’S Position on Screening

Those at high risk for lung cancer should speak with doctors about the risks and benefits of a CT scan

• if you are over 50 and have a 10-year pack a day smoking history
• if you have first degree relative with lung cancer
• if you had extensive exposure to radon, asbestos, second hand smoke, beryllium, or other carcinogens
• if you military service exposed you to Agent Orange, battlefield emissions, spent nuclear fuels and other carcinogens

Scans should only be performed at:

• I-ELCAP sites  http://www.ielcap.org/members/members.php
• NCI designated cancer centers and comprehensive cancer centers http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-names.html
• Sites experienced in diagnosing lung cancer with a multi-disciplinary team for disease management.

About Lung Cancer Alliance

Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to patient support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for lung cancer. Lung Cancer Alliance is leading the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by:

Providing hope and empowering patients and families:

• 1,000 monthly calls for help through the toll-free Lung Cancer Information Line (800-298-2436).
• 2 million monthly visitors through the on-line Lung Cancer Survivor’s Community (http://lungcancer.clinicahealth.com/)
• Hundreds getting the latest information on new treatment options through the toll-free Lung Cancer Clinical Trials Matching Service (800-698-0931).

Changing health policy and increasing research:            

• Educating public policy leaders on the need for increased federal and state research dollars, and promoting prevention, early disease management, and treatment initiatives. 
• Secured the first lung cancer research program within the Department of Defense, with a $20 million appropriation to start the program in 2009
• Legislation is currently pending in the U.S. Senate authorizing a comprehensive Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Program coordinating expanded research activities at HHS, DOD and the VA.
• Resolutions passed in the 110th Congress by the House of Representatives and the Senate urging priority status for lung cancer research, early detection and mortality reduction.
• Establishing chapters for grassroots advocacy  efforts with volunteers in 20 states.
• Legislation to establish first-ever research and early disease management programs in 6 states

Elevating awareness:

• Draft advocates around the country to speak out to the media and at national and regional healthcare conferences.
• Initiated annual Report Cards on Progress made by the federal government and certain states in addressing lung cancer mortality.
• Develop November Lung Cancer Awareness Month activities.
• Carried out the first-ever national awareness campaign for lung cancer, featuring sports legends Cal Ripken, Jr., Troy Aikman and Joe Buck.