Lung Cancer: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Lung cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide and continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, even as survival rates improve with advances in screening and treatment. In 2026 alone, an estimated 229,000+ Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer and nearly 125,000 will die from the disease. The good news: outcomes are improving due to earlier detection and more effective therapies. Early detection remains key, as treatment is often more successful when lung cancer is caught in its earliest stages.

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably and form a tumor that interferes with normal lung function. These cancer cells can spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body through a process called metastasis.

There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):
  The most common type, accounting for about 80–85% of lung cancers.
  Subtypes include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.
• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC):
  A less common but fast-growing cancer that often spreads quickly.

Causes of Lung Cancer

Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 80% of lung cancer deaths in the United States.

Other risk factors include:

• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Radon gas in homes or workplaces (the second leading cause of lung cancer overall)
• Air pollution
• Workplace exposure to substances such as asbestos, arsenic and diesel exhaust
• Family history of lung cancer
• Prior radiation to the chest
• Increasing age (most diagnoses occur in adults over 65)

Common Symptoms

Lung cancer may not cause symptoms early on, which is why screening is so important. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• A cough that doesn’t go away
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Trouble swallowing
• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
• Swelling in the face or neck

If you experience these symptoms, talk with your primary care provider.

Screening and Prevention

The most effective way to reduce lung cancer risk is to avoid tobacco or quit smoking. Other steps include:

• Testing your home for radon
• Avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet

Lung Cancer Screening

Early detection can save lives. Screening with low-dose CT (LDCT) scans can find lung cancer before symptoms appear.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual screening for people who:

• Are 50 to 80 years old
• Have a 20 pack-year smoking history or more
• Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years (CDC lung cancer screening)

Testing

If lung cancer is suspected, your provider may recommend:

• Imaging tests: Chest X-ray, CT scan or PET scan
• Biopsy: Removing a sample of tissue to confirm a diagnosis
• Molecular (genetic) testing: Identifies mutations that may guide targeted therapies

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as overall health. Common approaches include:

• Surgery: Often used in early-stage cancer to remove tumors
• Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy beams to target cancer cells
• Chemotherapy: Uses medications to destroy cancer cells
• Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer
• Targeted therapy: Focuses on specific genetic changes in cancer cells
• Palliative care: Manages symptoms and improves quality of life

Recent advances, especially in immunotherapy and targeted treatments, are helping people live longer and with fewer side effects than in the past.

Clinical trials also continue to expand treatment options and are widely available through programs like the Cancer Research Consortium of West Michigan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are early signs of lung cancer?

Early lung cancer often has no symptoms. When symptoms appear, they may include a persistent cough, shortness of breath or chest pain.

Who should be screened for lung cancer?

Adults ages 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years should consider annual screening.

Can lung cancer be prevented?

Avoiding tobacco, reducing exposure to radon and harmful chemicals and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help lower risk.

What treatments are available for lung cancer?

Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy depending on the cancer type and stage.