Not only is lung cancer the second most common type of cancer for both men and women, it also causes the most cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The American Cancer society reports that more than 235,000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021, a year in which the disease claimed more than 133,000 lives. These stats prove just how critical it is for patients to get access to the best care possible, and residents of New Jersey, Maryland and Connecticut can get just that at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA).
Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells develop in the lung(s) and start to grow. Eventually, they may form into a malignant, or cancerous, tumor. Though most lung cancers start this way, they don’t all share the same characteristics. There are three distinct types of lung cancer:
Sometimes, even the most seemingly trivial symptoms, such as a cough that doesn’t go away or shoulder pain, could be indicative of lung cancer. Some patients report feeling very ill, while others hardly experience anything unusual at all. Even though every case is different, some of the most common signs of lung cancer include:
Once the cancer has progressed and spread to other parts of the body, patients may also experience a loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, blood clots, unusual bleeding, neck or facial swelling, memory loss, headaches, bone or joint pain, fatigue and/or an unsteady walk.
Some patients tend to write off their symptoms or attribute them to other medical conditions, but the earlier you talk to your doctor about any new symptoms, the better. Lung cancer is usually diagnosed after conducting a CT or PET scan in conjunction with other testing.
Smoking tobacco is, by far, the leading cause of lung cancer. In fact, about 87% of all lung cancer cases in the U.S. can be attributed to smoking. However, even if you quit smoking or have never smoked at all, you can still develop lung cancer.
Aside from smoking, other risk factors include:
Get the emotional, mental, physical and financial support you and your family need at Regional Cancer Care Associates. Our patient-centered approach helps our team tend to every patient’s unique needs. The oncology team, nurses and support staff bring decades of experience to help patients fight lung cancer.
Whether your journey is just beginning or you’re ready to explore new options, contact RCCA today. You can reach us at 844-346-7222, or schedule a consultation at the RCCA location nearest your town to get seen as soon as possible.
A lung cancer diagnosis can be life-changing, bringing uncertainty and many questions about available treatments. At Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), we understand the importance
This time the diagnosis was definitive – and devastating. After first being told that she had bronchitis, and then pneumonia, Joanne Teeney had traveled from
What if there was a safe, painless, and quick screening test that could reduce the number of lung cancer deaths by 20%? And what if that test was covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurers?
When standard cancer treatments aren’t providing the results you want, clinical trials may offer hope. Our physicians use clinical trials to study new treatments, helping transform cancer care for the better. You can enroll in a clinical trial to try groundbreaking treatment plans at zero cost to you.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
