Surviving Lung CAncer

Early Screenings are Key 

St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women, claiming more lives each year than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Despite these alarming statistics, many people remain unaware of the life-saving benefits of early detection through screening. Raising awareness and encouraging screening can drastically improve survival rates and offer hope for those at risk.

The Prevalence of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer occurs in two primary forms: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for about 85% of cases, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a more aggressive but less common form. While smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, nonsmokers can also develop the disease due to factors like exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, and other environmental toxins. Genetic predispositions also play a role in some cases.

“Many people mistakenly believe that lung cancer only affects smokers or that once diagnosed, there is little hope for survival,” said Dr. David Christianson, a medical oncologist with Intermountain Health Cancer Centers of Montana at St. Vincent Regional Hospital. “While smoking is a major risk factor, anyone can develop lung cancer. Treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, are evolving, offering new hope even for advanced cases.”

David F. Christianson, MD

The Role of Screening in Early Detection

Screening plays a pivotal role in catching lung cancer at an early, more treatable stage. For those at high risk—primarily long-term smokers or people with a significant history of smoking—low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans are the most effective screening tool. LDCT scans can detect small, early-stage tumors that are often too small to cause symptoms. Studies have shown that LDCT screening can reduce lung cancer mortality by 20% compared to traditional chest X-rays.

“One of the greatest challenges with lung cancer is that it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage,” said Dr. Christianson. “Early-stage lung cancer is typically asymptomatic, meaning people may not experience noticeable symptoms or pain until the cancer has progressed. By then, treatment options may be more limited.”

Take this quiz to see if you qualify for a low-dose lung screening.

When lung cancer is diagnosed early, the chances of survival significantly improve. For stage 1 NSCLC, the five-year survival rate is as high as 60-80%. However, for stage 4 lung cancer, the survival rate drops dramatically to 10% or less. By educating the public about screening and the importance of early detection, more lives can be saved.

Who should be screened?

For those who meet the criteria, annual cancer screenings can help find lung cancer at the initial stages. Below are the requirements for candidates for lung screening: 

• Age 50-80 
• At least a 20-pack year smoking history (two pack per day for 10 years or one pack per day for 20 years) 
• Current smoker or have smoked in the past 15 years 
• No signs or symptoms of lung cancer. The signs are unexplained weight loss of more than 15 pounds in the last year, or recent hemoptysis, coughing up blood.

More from the Experts at St. Vincent Regional Hospital

About St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Founded on our mission of compassionate care 125 years ago, St. Vincent Regional Hospital, part of Intermountain Health, has grown into one of Montana’s largest comprehensive hospitals, serving the healthcare needs of over 400,000 people in our four-state area. Continuing to respond to the needs of our community, we have been recognized as an innovator in trauma, heart, neurological and cancer care. At St. Vincent and Intermountain Health, our 12 primary care clinics, and specialty clinics in and around the Billings area, our goal is to help you live the healthiest lives possible. This also includes caring for the region's youngest patients. We opened the region's first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed 24/7 by Pediatric Intensivists and the only Pediatric Surgery program serving eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and the western Dakotas.