Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Lung Cancer Leading Cause of Cancer Death

Image of  U.S Navy MRI technologist behind a computer screen with a magnetic resonance machine in the background. U.S. Naval Medical Center San Diego’s medical providers conduct a lung cancer screening. With November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, be aware of symptoms, causes and steps to take if you think you need screening. (U.S. Navy Seaman Apprentice Harley Sarmiento, Naval Medical Center San Diego)

Despite reduction in numbers in recent years, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

Each year, an average of 218,500 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, and about 142,000 people die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though different people have different symptoms for lung cancer, most people with lung cancer don't have symptoms until the cancer is advanced, according to the CDC.

Observed annually in November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month draws attention to the disease to increase awareness of causes and symptoms of lung cancer and steps to take if you think you need to be screened.

The three leading causes of lung cancer are cigarette smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, and exposure to radon, according to the National Institutes of Health, with 90 % of lung cancer deaths caused by smoking and the use of tobacco products.

Along with the above leading causes, previous exposure to any kind of radiation, exposure to asbestos, and family history should all be taken seriously.

Smoking, along with exposure to other causes, increases the risk of lung cancer, according to U.S. Army Major (Dr.) Mateo Houle, a pulmonologist at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Despite this, lung cancer is often preventable because it is often related to behavioral choices. "Smoking is the single greatest risk factor to develop lung cancer," said Houle. "It is possible to develop lung cancer from exposure to radon or other environmental factors, but these are far less common."

Some warfighters work in locations where there may be hazardous chemicals that can possibly cause cancer. If you have concerns, Houle said, the first step should be consulting a supervisor. If there is a question, all work locations should have Material Safety Data Sheets that can be consulted.

"The MSDS is a manual that shows all the chemicals used in the workplace and their known effects following exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates workplace exposures/chemicals and safety," Houle said.

Unlike some cancers, most symptoms of lung cancer are not discovered until the cancer is advanced. "Unfortunately, there are no signs of lung cancer in the early stages," said Houle.

Despite there being no obvious early signs, there are symptoms one can watch for according to the NIH.

Possible Signs of Lung Cancer

  • A new cough that won't go away
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Hoarseness
  • Losing weight (without trying)
  • Coughing up blood

Screening for Lung Cancer

"There may be appropriate screenings available to catch cancer at an early, curative stage," said Houle. Lung cancer screening is recommended only for adults who have no symptoms but who are at high risk for developing the disease because of their smoking history and age.

"We have a lung cancer screening program, and at BAMC we have a specific lung cancer screening clinic where we offer education and same day CT lung cancer screening for those who are referred here," said Houle. "We then evaluate each case of new diagnosis of lung cancer in a multidisciplinary team, once per week. We also have a smoking cessation program at BAMC which has nursing and behavioral health embedded in the clinic."

Even though lung cancer can be hard to cure, early detection can lower the risk of dying from this disease. TRICARE will cover an annual low-dose computed tomography screenings for lung cancer if the beneficiary is between 50- to 80-years-old and has a 20-pack per-year history of smoking, is currently smoking or has quit within the past 15 years.

Lung cancer screening is not without risks. That is why lung cancer screening is recommended only for adults who are at high risk for developing the disease because of their smoking history and age.

Lung Cancer Prevention

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to prevent lung cancer, but there are steps you can take to minimize your risk.

  • Stop smoking, or don't start.
  • Avoid secondhand smoke, and don't smoke around others.
  • Test your home for radon and asbestos (if appropriate).
  • Take safety precautions at work if you're around toxic chemicals or carcinogens.
  • Examine your diet and exercise.

You also may be interested in...

Be Prepared with Back-to-School Immunizations

Video
7/28/2022
Be Prepared with Back-to-School Immunizations

Air Force Surgeon General Miller encourages parents to get their kids immunized before heading back to school in the fall.

Dental Health is Mission Critical

Video
1/21/2022
Dental Health is Mission Critical

Dental emergencies are one of the top reasons people can't deploy or why they're brought home early. Take care of your dental health with these tips.

Stay Mission Ready with the Flu Vaccine

Video
10/13/2021
Stay Mission Ready with the Flu Vaccine

FLU SEASON IS HERE, AND THE THREAT OF SERIOUS ILLNESS MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO GET YOUR FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR.

Flu Season: Staying Healthy

Video
10/13/2021
Flu Season: Staying Healthy

 FLU SEASON IS HERE AND GETTING YOUR FLU VACCINE IS THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE SPREAD.

Preventive Health Care for You

Video
8/11/2021
Preventive Health Care for You

Preventive health care - getting a physical exam, getting vaccines on time, and listening to your body - is key to a long and healthy life.

Back to School Fast Tips

Video
8/11/2021
Back to School Fast Tips

Here are some fast tips for a smooth and safe transition to getting back to school this year.

Total Force Fitness Reintroduction

Video
2/17/2021
Total Force Fitness Reintroduction

The Military Health System is reintroducing Total Force Fitness. The Total Force Fitness concept focuses on a service member’s entire health throughout their career, connecting eight dimensions of fitness to optimize health, performance, and readiness holistically.

Measles Myths: The Measles Can Be Life-Threatening

Video
9/30/2019
Measles Myths: The Measles Can Be Life-Threatening

Measles can be life-threatening, especially for children and among people who have a compromised immune system.

Measles Myths: Hand Washing Alone Won't Prevent Measles

Video
9/23/2019
Measles Myths: Hand Washing Alone Won't Prevent Measles

Hand washing alone will not prevent the spread of measles. Dr. Margaret Ryan, preventive medicine physician, debunks some myths about vaccinations.

Measles Myths: Vaccines Are Safe

Video
9/17/2019
Measles Myths: Vaccines Are Safe

Vaccine components have been rigorously tested for safety. Dr. Margaret Ryan, preventive medicine physician, debunks some myths about vaccinations.

Measles Myths: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism

Video
9/12/2019
Measles Myths: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism

Vaccines that prevent measles do not cause autism. Dr. Margaret Ryan, preventive medicine physician, debunks some myths about vaccinations.

Prevent to Protect: Rosarios

Video
8/30/2019
Prevent to Protect: Rosarios

10-year-old Tatiana Rosario has a weakened immune system as a result of her cancer treatment. Growing up, she and her family made sacrifices to keep her safe from disease.

Prevent to Protect: Barbara and Floriann

Video
8/30/2019
Prevent to Protect: Barbara and Floriann

Barbara’s son Floriann grew up with an immune dysregulation. A Uniformed Services University pathology professor, she’s experienced first hand the importance of vaccines.

Prevent to Protect: Analia

Video
8/30/2019
Prevent to Protect: Analia

Cancer left 5-year-old Analia Pages unable to get vaccinated. Her father, Master Sgt. Edward Pages, has to take extra steps to protect her from diseases she’s susceptible to.

Prevent to Protect: Immunization Awareness

Video
8/30/2019
Prevent to Protect: Immunization Awareness

Getting vaccinated not only protects yourself and your family from deadly diseases, but it also saves the lives to those who don’t have the immune system to fend for themselves. The Military Health System shares the stories of families with children who are at risk when others aren’t immunized.

Page 1 of 1 , showing items 1 - 15
Refine your search
Last Updated: November 28, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery