More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. This is true for both men and women. In 2009, 205,974 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer, including 110,190 men and 95,784 women. According to the Nebraska Cancer Registry, over 8,600 cancers were diagnosed among Nebraska residents during 2009, ranking ahead of heart disease for the first time ever, and accounting for over 3,300 deaths among Nebraska residents. In Nebraska, lung cancer was the third most frequently diagnosed (1,104 diagnoses) in 2009.

Lung cancer begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases.

Types of Lung Cancer: Lung cancers usually are grouped into two main types called small cell and non-small cell. These types of lung cancer grow differently and are treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer.

Causes: Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer also can be caused by using other types of tobacco (such as pipes or cigars), breathing secondhand smoke, being exposed to substances such as asbestos or radon at home or work, and having a family history of lung cancer. Occasionally, lung cancers arise without a known cause.

Statistics
National: www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics
Nebraska: www.dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/ced_cancer_data.aspx
Regional West:

Lung Cancer Treatment at Regional West
Regional West’s cancer services is committed to early diagnosis of lung cancer, advanced treatment regimens, and aggressive prevention strategies. Our team of professionals is dedicated to offering ‘best practices’ and compassionate care to patients in western Nebraska and surrounding communities.

The Lung Cancer Patient Care Team: A Collaborative, Team Approach
At Regional West Medical Center, your lung cancer treatment is managed by a multi-specialty team that provides comprehensive care, and is focused on helping our patients achieve the best possible outcomes. In addition to the specialists listed below, our team includes Anesthesiologists, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, physical therapists, and other professionals with extensive experience in cancer care.

Online Lung Cancer Resources

• American Lung Association  www.lungusa.org
• Lung Cancer Alliance www.lungcanceralliance.org
• Time to Focus on Lung Cancer www.lungcancer.org
• Lung Cancer Online www.lungcanceronline.org
• Mesothelioma Web www.mesotheliomaweb.org