Lung Cancer Care & Treatment in Quad Cities

Lung Cancer Program

The UnityPoint Health Trinity Lung Cancer Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, including minimally invasive surgical options, access to cancer clinical trials, risk assessment and early detection, and comprehensive supportive care options.

Team Approach to Patient Care

Developing an effective diagnostic and treatment plan for lung cancer involves input from a variety of specialists. For many patients, the time from diagnosis to the start of treatment can be frustrating and lengthy.

To expedite a plan, our program brings together a multispecialty team of experts in thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, pathology and radiology.  The team evaluates the patient case, reviews diagnostic testing, and discusses each patient's case to determine the best course of action for treatment.

For more information click here or to schedule an appointment, call (309) 779-5090.

Lung Cancer

There are two different forms of lung cancer, small cell and non-small cell that grow differently, so they need to be treated as such. Lung cancer is responsible for 29 percent of cancer deaths which makes it the leading cause of cancer in both men and women. While it is the deadliest form of cancer in the United States, it is also the most preventable.

What Risk Factors are Involved with Lung Cancer?

• Cigarette Smoking
• Secondhand smoke
• Excessive alcohol use
• Radon exposure
• Environmental factors
• Family history

Symptoms

Symptoms of lung cancer tend only to show up when the cancer is in it's later stages. Individual symptoms will vary depending on the stage of cancer and where the cancer has metastasized. If any of these symptoms occur, it is important to contact the experts at UnityPoint Health - Trinity for guidance and treatment options.

• Severe cough that won't go away
• Coughing blood
• Chest Pains
• Wheezing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent headaches 

Screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, killing nearly 160,000 people each year. Yearly lung screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been shown to save lives by finding lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat. The UnityPoint Health – Trinity Lung Screen Program started in 2014 and has been growing every year since.  In 2020, UnityPoint Health – Trinity screened 1,200 patients and of these, 16 patients were diagnosed with cancer. 

For those who qualify, these lung screenings are part of preventative health screenings, much like mammograms and colonoscopies. Lung cancer screening is recommended for older adults who are longtime smokers and who don't have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer. It is specially recommended for the following:

• Older adults: Lung cancer screening is generally offered to smokers and former smokers who are 50 and older
• Current Smokers: If you have a history of smoking for 20 pack years or longer. Pack years are calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked a day and the number of years that you smoked.
• Former Smokers: If you were a heavy smoker for a long time and you quit smoking in the last 15 years, you may consider lung cancer screening.
• People with overall good health:  Screenings are recommended for people in overall good health.  It is generally not recommended for those who are more likely to experience complications from follow-up tests, have poor lung function or other serious conditions that would make surgery difficult.

Discuss the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening using LDCT with your doctor. Working together will help you decide whether screening is right for you. If you have any questions about the lung screen, please call Judy Howell, RN, Nurse Navigator at (309) 779-5090.

Prevention

The leading cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking, so it's no wonder that quitting smoking is the first item on our list for preventing this deadly disease. Although it is the best thing you can do to lessen your chances of lung cancer, it is not the only step you can take.

• Quit smoking - Even if you've been a heavy smoker most of your life, quitting smoking can significantly lessen your chances of getting lung cancer. 

• Avoid secondhand smoke - inhaling secondhand smoke is just as deadly as smoking a cigarette directly. Avoid smoking areas or cars in which people are smoking. 

• Protect yourself from carcinogens at work - Depending on your line of work, if you are advised to wear a gas mask to avoid chemicals, do so. These precautionary measures are set up by your workplace to help you. 

• Test your home for radon - Have your home's radon levels checked to see if a mitigation needs installation. A mitigation system will help to remove radon gases from your home.