Lung cancer is the leading cause of global cancer deaths and takes three times as many lives each year than prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Despite improved medical technology, smoking cessation in the population and lung cancer screening, the 5-year survival rate still remains at just 20%. In the United States alone, more than 130,000 die annually and although the number of new lung cancer cases has continued to decline in recent years due to expanded screening recommendations and improved diagnostic and treatment options, an estimated 236,740 more people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 20221,2.
In an effort to have more people screened and diagnosed with lung cancer earlier than ever, when their chances of survival are much higher, new recommendations around screening have been implemented in recent years. In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) expanded their recommendations around the use of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for early lung cancer detection. This updated direction called for annual screening using LDCT in all adults ages 50-80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit smoking in the last 15 years3.
Smoking continues to be the leading risk factor for lung cancer and is responsible for 80% of all lung cancer deaths. While there are other risk factors like secondhand smoke, exposure to toxins, family history, and genetic factors that can play a role in a lung cancer diagnosis, these make up just 20% of lung cancer deaths4.
Screening and early detection of lung cancer are key to improving survival rates. Diagnosing lung cancer in early stages means there is a higher likelihood that it is curable and there are often varying treatment options.
Body Vision’s mission aims to improve patient outcomes and save lives through the democratization of innovative medical technology. We seek to increase the ability to diagnose lung cancer and improve the patient experience by simplifying the patient journey and making cutting-edge medical care broadly accessible in order to maximize the likelihood of a definitive diagnosis earlier, when there is a higher chance of survival.
“Having lost my father to lung cancer, I know first hand the impact early detection and access to advanced medical care can have. Because his lung cancer was detected early and we had access to some of the best lung care treatments available in the world in Boston, our family was fortunate to have him for an additional five years,” says Body Vision CEO, David Webster. “My father shared many priceless moments with his children and grandchildren in his last years, all because he was diagnosed earlier than most. We all miss him, I think of him nearly every day. We are forever thankful to those clinicians that worked to extend his life and gave us all of those additional years of joy together.”
At Body Vision, we are committed to partnering with institutions, physicians and staff worldwide to improve lung cancer diagnosis so that cancer patients globally can have greater hope for longer, healthier lives.
Sources
1. Home. Lung Cancer Research Foundation. (2022, October 27). Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/
2. Lung deaths - lungcancerinitiative.org. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://lungcancerinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/LCI-fact-sheet-2021.pdf
3. US Preventive Services Task Force Members. (2021, March 9). Screening for Lung Cancer US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Recommendation: Lung Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce. Retrieved November 3, 2021, from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung-cancer-screening#fullrecommendationstart.
4. Lung cancer facts. Lung Cancer Research Foundation. (2021, October 28). Retrieved November 3, 2021, from https://www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/lung-cancer-facts/.