November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and it highlights the need for more research and better understanding of the disease.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Cigarette smoking is the top risk factor for lung cancer – more than 80% of all cases are caused by tobacco use. Other risk factors for lung cancer include being exposed to secondhand smoke, having a family history of lung cancer, being treated with radiation therapy to the breast or chest, exposure to asbestos, chromium, nickel, arsenic, soot, or tar in the workplace, and exposure to radon. When smoking is combined with other risk factors, the risk of lung cancer is increased.
Unfortunately, the statistics show that fewer than 1 in 7 lung cancer patients will be diagnosed in the earliest stage, when the disease is most treatable. This is because lung cancer is difficult to identify and many individuals don’t experience any symptoms until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.
It is vital to go to your doctor for regular checkups, especially if you have a family history of lung cancer.
Our company is proud to take active part in lung cancer research and drug development. For more information about GCT experience in oncology trials, please contact us at bd@gctrials.com.