Via Black Image Magazine and community efforts, Comprehensive Cancer Centers encourages the black community to get pre-screened for lung cancer and other cancers.
The following story about lung cancer screenings was contributed by Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the most recent issue of Las Vegas Black Image Magazine, which is a powerful, community-focused resource in Southern Nevada.
Comprehensive’s Dr. Vishisht Mehta wrote the story, which opens with broad evidence that suggests racial and ethnic disparities contribute to a higher likelihood of later cancer diagnoses in the black community. Studies have also shown that when pre-screening methods are utilized and treatment is equivalent, outcomes are similar among races and ethnicities related to cancer mortality. The challenge becomes breaking through to communities to encourage screenings to reduce risks and negative cancer outcomes.
Lung cancer is cancer that has started in a person’s lungs. Even if it spreads to other parts of the body, it is still called lung cancer, because that is where it began. The number one cause of the disease is tobacco use. Smokers have 15-30 times more risk of developing the disease than nonsmokers. Eighty to 90 percent of all lung cancer cases in the United States are smoking related, with two types of lung cancer occurring in non-small cell and small cell cancers.
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in black men and black women from 2015-2019 throughout the United States. An estimated 14,160 black Americans will lose their lives to lung cancer this year alone. In Nevada, it’s estimated that the rate of new lung cancer cases is 51 per 100,000 population among black men and women.
Eliminating disparities in cancer is an overarching goal of many cancer professionals, including those at Comprehensive Cancer Centers. One of the main ways to reduce the risk of getting cancer is by making healthy choices. For individuals who smoke, they should be aware of the risks and take additional pre-screening efforts such as receiving a lung CT (computed tomography) scan.
A low-dose lung CT scan (LDCT) is a noninvasive procedure that can identify spots on the lung. If needed, a biopsy may be conducted based on that information and used to determine whether there is cancer present. For those who have never had a lung CT scan before, it entails laying down on a table and having a machine take several images of the lungs, using a low level of radiation to acquire these images.
The American Cancer Society also recommends an annual LDCT screening scan in adults ages 50-80 who have a sufficient (approximately one pack a day for 20 years, or greater) history of smoking or who currently smoke. Clinical trial data has shown that annual LDCT scans reduce lung cancer mortality among people who are considered to be high risk because of their smoking history.
By being your own advocate and staying aware of the preventive measures and pre-screening methods that best fit your lifestyle, black Americans can reduce their likelihood of being impacted by lung cancer.
Vishisht Mehta, MD serves as the Director of Interventional Pulmonology at the Lung Center of Nevada, a division of Comprehensive Cancer Centers, where he treats patients with acute and chronic pulmonary health concerns.
Dr. Mehta attended the Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in India, receiving a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree in 2012. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha. He later completed fellowships in pulmonary and critical care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and an Interventional Pulmonary fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for lung cancer including medical oncology, radiation oncology and clinical trials. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, call 702-952-3350.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.