Lung Cancer Care

Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention

Lung cancer is the second-most common type of cancer in both men and women. While a high number of lung cancer cases happen in current or former smokers, you can still develop the disease even if you’ve never smoked.

Providers Treating Lung Cancer

Lung cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms until later stages of the disease, making early detection critical to get the best treatment outcomes. People with an increased risk of lung cancer may consider annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans. New guidelines from the U.S. National Preventive Services Task Force recommend Americans get a lung cancer screening if they:

• Are 50 or older and
• Have a 20 pack-year (the packs of cigarettes smoked per day times the number of years) history of smoking and
• Currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years.

Discuss your lung cancer risk with your primary care provider. Together you can decide whether lung cancer screening is right for you. Screenings are completed with a simple low-dose CT scan of the lungs, available at convenient Beacon locations. This quick and easy test enables physicians to find lung tumors in their earliest stages. If you have an increased risk of lung cancer due to a personal or family history, our genetic counselor can also advise you about how to protect your health. 

Learn About Lung Cancer Risk Factors 

Lung Cancer Treatments

Beacon treats all types and stages of lung cancer and other cancers in the chest. For early stage lung cancers, surgery or radiation alone are often the only treatment you will need. For patients with early stage lung cancers who cannot have or prefer not to have surgery, radiation can often be delivered over as few as 5 treatments with an advanced technique called stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR). For more advanced lung cancers, treatment often includes a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Beacon’s multidisciplinary team approach to cancer care connects teams focused on delivering the highest quality care to each individual patient.

The Thoracic Oncology Clinic brings together patients, caregivers and a multidisciplinary team of board-certified specialists – in the same place, at the same time – with a focus on delivering the highest quality care to each individual.

Hear about Sue’s SABR experience

Why Choose Beacon?

If diagnosed with cancer, your team will review all of your test results with you and work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan that is best for you. Your team may consist of a thoracic surgeon, medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist, depending on the specific details of your cancer. During your consultation, you’ll be able to discuss your questions and concerns and talk about your plan of care with your oncologist. Your Beacon provider can also arrange for a second opinion through the Mayo Clinic at no charge.

If you have an increased risk for lung cancer, our genetic counselor can advise you about how to protect your health.

We understand that cancer affects more than just your body. That’s why we also offer educational resources and support groups to help you and your family during your cancer journey.