A “BREATH” OF FRESH AIR

Inter Community Cancer Centers and Institute Spotlights Risk Factors, Prevention and High-Tech Radiation Treatments for Lung Cancer

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that in 2012, there will be 226,160 new cases of lung cancer.
An estimated 160,340 deaths, accounting for about 28% of all cancer deaths, are expected to occur in 2012. Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death in American men and women. In recognizing November as “National Lung Cancer Awareness Month,” experts at InterCommunity Cancer Centers and Institute (ICCC/ICCI) are continuing to educate patients about risk factors, preventative tips and advanced radiation treatments to help fight this deadly disease.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR LUNG CANCER?
The ACS’ website identifies numerous risk factors, signs and symptoms and important prevention tips regarding lung cancer and they include the following:

Constant chest pain
Coughing up blood
Shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness
Chronic problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
Swelling of the neck and face
Fatigue

Lung cancer is divided into two types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. “Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer and usually grows and spreads at a slower rate,” said Bobby Harrison, M.D., medical oncologist at ICCC/ICCI. “On the other hand, small cell lung cancer develops more quickly and is more likely to spread to other organs in the body.”
HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF LUNG CANCER
You can reduce your risk of developing lung cancer in several ways including:

Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit now.
Avoid secondhand smoke. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure.
Have your home tested for radon and take corrective actions if high levels are found.
Avoid unnecessary medical tests that involve X-ray images of the chest.
Follow health and safety guidelines in the workplace.

“Lung cancer is a deadly disease that we cannot afford to ignore,” said Hal M. Jacobson, M.D., Medical Director of ICCC/ICCI. “Early detection is paramount to beating lung cancer and it is absolutely critical for ‘high-risk’ patients to remain vigilant about their lifestyle choices and screenings.”
FIGHTING LUNG CANCER WITH ADVANCED RADIATION THERAPIES
Alone or in combination with other treatment modalities, external beam radiation therapy is used to treat more than half of the patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. The most state-of-the-art external beam radiation therapy techniques utilizing Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) are available right here in your own backyard at ICCC.
IMRT is arguably the most widely used radiation therapy for prostate cancer. It provides highly sophisticated radiotherapy utilizing computer-controlled x-ray linear accelerators to deliver radiation doses with high precision. IMRT is used in combination with IGRT which localizes the treatment tumor site daily before each treatment for pinpoint accuracy and effectiveness.
Because of the precision involved with IMRT and IGRT, ICCC radiation oncologists can use higher doses of radiation to more effectively treat the cancer. These external radiation therapy treatments are performed on an outpatient basis and provide excellent survival rates. They are non-invasive and relatively painless treatments that help maintain a patient’s high quality of life during the treatment process.
The type of treatment a patient receives depends on several different factors: the type of lung cancer, the size, location, extent of the tumor and general health of the patient. “Finding the right type of treatment is imperative when dealing with any cancer,” said Hal Jacobson, M.D., radiation oncologist at ICCC. “With each type of advanced treatment, there is the possibility that the patient will experience minimal side effects so we educate our patients and encourage them to educate themselves treatments so that they can make an informed decision about what option will be best for them.”
For more information, please visit
www.ICCCVantage.com.
THE EXPERIENCE OF INTERCOMMUNITY CANCER CENTERS AND INSTITUTE
ICCC has 25 years of cancer-fighting experience having treated over 10,000 patients. They are dedicated to empowering patients to have the confidence they need to change their lives. Radiation Oncologists Drs. Hal Jacobson, Herman Flink, Bobby Harrison, and Maureen Holasek bring exceptional expertise in treating breast, lung, prostate, gynecologic, skin and other cancers.
As part of a larger, nation-wide oncology group of physicians and specialists under Vantage Oncology, the oncologists at ICCC have access to aggregated clinical information and best practices from the treatment of more than 1,000 patients per day, giving ICCC the ability to offer “Ivy League” and university-quality treatment services in smaller and more rural areas.
ABOUT VANTAGE ONCOLOGY
Vantage Oncology offers a complete development, implementation and management solution for radiation oncology practices. It provides ownership opportunities that empower physicians to maintain control of their practice while leveraging the strength of the company’s network and clinical resources. A multi-disciplinary team is committed to continuously raising the standards of cancer care. For more information, please visit www.VantageOncology.com.