Medical Professionals 14 Professionals November Is National Lung Medical Cancer Awareness Month WhatWhat you should know: What You Need To KnowAnd Cancer: Covid-19 You Need To Know • If you are a heavy smoker, and have been smoking for
Did youSubmitted know that the leading canifdo: by lung Sarahcancer J. Easaw,isMD, FACP cause of cancer several years, askWhat your you doctor you need to do an deaths in both men and women in the U.S.? Approximately 1. If you are actively undergoing cancer treatment, take extra caution X-ray or a CT scan. As of today, than 77each million people have been diagnosed 200,000 new cases aremore diagnosed year and 27 percent to avoid exposure toto COVID: Ask your MD about different methods help youstay quitaway from anyone other than with COVID 19are worldwide and 1.7 million have died from it.•The of all cancer deaths from lung cancer. your immediate household, wear masks, and use strict handwashing smoking. pandemic is still raging and is impacting healthcare in many
guidelines, butcancer, don’task delay treatment. Make sure that the • If you are diagnosed with lung aboutthe thecancer type of cancer you have, What causes lung cancer? ways. There are many concerns among healthcare professionals facility where you are getting treatment is also taking these
stage and other features such as EGFR mutation. moking. Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer.in Even though non-smokers and the general public about COVID selected groups of precautions. o get lung cancer, the risk is much higher in those who smoke. The more you smoke, the • What is your treatment plan? 2. Those who were diagnosed with cancer, but are not in need of active people, especially those with cancer. your risk. The likelihood of getting lung cancer decreases after you quit smoking. Tobacco • What are the side-effects of treatment? treatment, should also follow safe practices, but your risk of getting twocausing aspectsthe to cells consider when thinkingRegular about the impact in damages cellsThere in theare lungs, to grow abnormally. exposure to of COVID • Are there support services available? severe infection is not increased due to cancer diagnosis alone. cancer care: from someone else’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes (called second-hand smoking) can increase 3. Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider and Immunotherapy in lung cancer. 1. The risk of death in cancer patients affected by COVID on’s risk of lung cancer, even if they are non-smokers. seek immediate help. COVID symptoms very variable and Over the last few decades, immunotherapy agents have been studiedcan in thebe treatment of 2. The impact of COVID 19 on the timely diagnosis and treatment of xposure to asbestos. Certain jobs such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, insulation or many cancers, including lung cancer. Several immunotherapy drugs are now approved for use. not everyone presents with fever and chills. Diarrhea, abdominal cancer # Asbestos fibers can irritate the lungs otive brake repair may cause exposure to asbestos. Our immune system cells normally,lack and of thustaste reduces the chance pain, fights sore cancer throat, cough, and smell, of skin rash, redness Riskcombined of COVID-related complications in cancer patients: use cancer. When with smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer is much transforming normal cells into cancer cells. But this does not work always, as people with in the eye, shortness of breath: all these complaints can be the first Most people infected with COVID 19 only experience mild symptoms that resolve . normal immune systems also develop cancer. The principle of immune therapy is based on presenting symptom of COVID. without any treatment. But some are severely affected, needing hospitalization and oxygen adon. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas released by soil and some rocks. Exposure to What you should boosting the immune system soknow: thatoffers it can efficiently destroy cancerprior cells. to procedures, take it! You 4. If your facility COVID screening What You Need To Know support. A significant percentage of people die from COVID 19 infection, in spite of levels of radon can cause cancer, especially lung cancer. If you are a heavy smoker, and have been smoking for use of•immune checkpoint inhibitors has been a major breakthrough in cancer research. Did of you know that lung cancer is the is leading cause ofThe cancer could be hospitalization and ICU care. The risk developing severe infection mainly based on several years, ask yourasymptomatic doctor if you need to do anand still be a carrier. Help prevent transmission deaths in both men and women in the U.S.? Approximately at are the types of lung cancer? These drugs help to take the “brakes” off theby immune so that they can recognize and kill X-ray a CT scan. oforthis deadly virus beingsystem, screened. certain risk factors. 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and 27 percent • Askeffectively. your MD about different methods to help you quit There are two different types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. This difference is cancer cells more of all cancer infection deaths areinclude from lung cancer. Last, but not least, try to stay positive in these tough times. Many people are suffering Risk factors for developing severe COVID older age, diabetes, lung smoking. on the type of cancer cells. Most lung cancers are non-small cell. Among the non-small KEYTRUDA, and TECENTRIQ some oftothethe checkpoint inhibitors If you are diagnoseddepression with lung cancer, ask loneliness aboutare the type of cancer youimmune have, anxiety, and due effect of the pandemic. Stay in touch disease, heavy smoking, alcoholism,What uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, OPDIVO, kidney • from causes lung cancer? stage andcancer. other features such as EGFRthese mutation. ng cancers, there are several subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell large that are used in lung Even though drugs don’t have the typical side effects of another. Smoking. Smoking is the number oneand risk factor forcell. lung cancer. Even though non-smokers with your loved ones, your friends and family, virtually to support one failure, cancer and conditions that cause low immunity. can also get lung cancer, the risk is much higher in those who smoke. The more you smoke, the • What is your treatment plan? stillthecan causeofreactions yourthe risk. risk The likelihood of gettingin lung cancer decreases you quitchemotherapy, smoking. What are side-effects treatment? such as inflammatory disorders. studies were tohigher assess of severity COVID 19after patients with Tobacco • they at are the Several symptoms anddone signs? smoke damages cells in the lungs, causing the cells to grow abnormally. Regular exposure to • Are there support services available? mptoms cancer. and signs include coughing, (coughing up blood), Some studies did nothemoptysis show a significant difference inshortness death in cancer If youinhave any questions about any cancer-related questions, smoke from someone else’s cigarettes, cigars orthe pipesrate (calledof second-hand smoking) can increase Immunotherapy lung cancer.cancer and the treatment of To learn more about lung person’s riskobserved of lung cancer,that even ifthe they are non-smokers. , chest pain, fatigue andCOVID, weight loss. patients with but mostastudies risk was high. Over the last few decades, immunotherapy agents Dr. have been studied in J. the treatment of at 732-961-0010 please contact Sarah Easaw Exposure to asbestos. Certain jobs such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, insulation or many cancers,contact including lung cancer. Several immunotherapy drugs are now for use. other Dr. Sarah Easaw atapproved 732-961-0010 or often, theNot symptoms do with not manifest until of the cancer isrepair advanced. Sometimes cancer everyone a diagnosis cancer has a may high risk. The risklung is known to irritate be higher automotive brake cause exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can the lungscancers, Our immune system fights cancer cells normally, and thus reduces the chance of or visit www.oceanhemonc.com. and cause cancer. When combined with smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer is much detectedin as the a shadow in thesituations: lung on an X-ray done for other reasons. following visit www.oceanhemonc.com. transforming normal cells into cancer cells. But this does not work always, as people with higher. normal immune systems also develop cancer. The principle of immune therapy is based on Radon. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas released by soil and some rocks. Exposure to 1. Older age Testimonials boosting the immune system so that it can efficiently destroy cancer cells. w is it diagnosed? higher levels of radon can cause cancer, especially lung cancer. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been a major breakthrough in cancer research. 2. Those undergoing active treatment with chemotherapy and “Dear Dr. Easaw, nce your doctor suspects that you have lungWhat cancer, you will be sent for CT scans and in are the types of lung cancer? These drugs help to take the “brakes” off the immune system, so that they can recognize and kill There are twoaccurately different types of lung cancer: cell and non-small cell. This difference is cancer more effectively. I amcellswriting to thank you for your kindness in caring for my Mom. My family has comfort in cases, a PETimmunotherapy scan. A PET scan can detect cancer more than othersmall tests. The based on the type of cancer cells. Most lung cancers are non-small cell. Among the non-small OPDIVO, KEYTRUDA, and TECENTRIQ are some of the immune checkpoint inhibitors 3. Smokers knowing that she was caredrugs of by compassionate group osis is confirmed by taking a biopsy of the suspicious lesions seen on the X-ray or CT cell lung cancers, there are several subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell and large cell. that are used in lung cancer. Even taken though these don’tahave the typical side effects of of folks who made her multiple trips Lung and cancer of blood andorgans, blood-forming organs chemotherapy, theyand still can cause reactions such as inflammatory disorders. The scans4.also helpcancer to see if the cancer has spread to the anysymptoms other process called to the office hospital tolerable. I have also appreciated your kindness and patience in taking my What are and asigns? (hematologic malignancies) Symptoms and signs include coughing, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), shortness of many calls more to discuss mylung Mom’s schedule, etc.” asis. To learn about cancer andresults the treatment of breath, chest pain, fatigue and weight loss. 5. Within 6 months of receiving high-dose chemotherapy and Sometimes stem cell other cancers, contact Dr. Sarah Easaw at 732-961-0010 or Most often, the symptoms do not manifest until the cancer is advanced. lung cancer there different stages? “I am so glad that I finally found a great doctor to help me navigate through my newly diagnosed can be detected as a shadow in the lung on an X-ray done for other reasons. visit www.oceanhemonc.com. transplant aging is different for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers. Small cell lung cancer has cancer.” is it diagnosed? 6. Prolonged period of lowHow immunity (persistent low white count) Once your suspects that you haveoutside lung cancer,the you lungs). will be sent for CT scans and in wo stages:7.limited stage (confined within the lungs) ordoctor extensive (spread Other co-existing conditions asA diabetes, some cases,such a PET scan. PET scan can detectheart cancer moredisease, accurately than kidney other tests. The Dear Dr. Easaw & Staff, on-small celldisease lung cancer has four stages: stages I to IV. Stage I is aabiopsy small tumor that is seen on the X-ray or CT diagnosis is confirmed by taking of the suspicious lesions “Thank you all so much for the wonderful care that you gave Mom. You all added that personal scans. The scans also help to see if the cancer has spread to any other organs, a process called ed to the lung, that has not spread to the lymph glands. Larger tumors and those that are Excessive caution should be metastasis. taken in patients with the above risk factors to limit their touch, that most people, including my family couldn’t and wouldn’t give. For that we will always be to the lymph glands come under stages II and III. When the cancer has spread to other AreThese there include differentstrict stages?physical distancing, avoiding any exposure to COVID 19 infection. thankful.” , it is stage IV. Staging is different for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers. Small cell lung cancer has gatherings or crowds, always wearing mask when with others, handwashing. only twoastages: limited stage (confined within the and lungs) frequent or extensive (spread outside the lungs). lungreported cancer has four I to IV. and Stage Ishould is a small tumor that is at are the treatment options? In addition, any unusual symptomsNon-small shouldcellbe tostages: thestages doctors warrant confined to the lung, that has not spread to the lymph glands. Larger tumors and those that are Compassionate Cancer Care, Close to Home eatment is based ontesting, the stage and the type of lung Small cell cancer is mainly COVID so that early intervention canglands be come done. spread to thecancer. lymph underlung stages II and III. When the cancer has spread to other organs, it isand stage IV. d with chemotherapy. In limited cell lung cancer, radiation can be combined Impact of COVID 19 stage in thesmall diagnosis treatment of cancer: Sarah J. Easaw MD, FACP Whatmany are thepeople treatment options? hemotherapy.Ever since the pandemic started, tend to stay away from the hospitals Treatment is based on the stage and the type of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is mainly Board Certified Hematology & Oncology rly stage and non-small celloffices. lung cancer bestpostponed treated surgical experienced treated withby chemotherapy. limited stage An small cell diagnostic lung cancer, radiation be combined doctors’ Most ishave routineInresection. check-ups and testscanlike with chemotherapy. specialist n removes the tumor, surrounding normal lung tissue and the the lymph glands around it. resection. mammograms and colonoscopies. In centers offer screening tests Earlyaddition, stage non-small cell ability lung cancerof is best treated byto surgical An experienced fter removing the tumor, cancer cells canbyremain and cause recurrent cancer, either in Serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties surgeon removes theof tumor, surrounding normalBecause lung tissue and lymphthere glands around it. at typical levels was impacted the severity the pandemic. ofthethe that, could Even after removing the tumor, cancer cells can remain and cause recurrent cancer, either in the self or inbe other organs. Chemotherapy, radiation or both organs. are used after surgery to reduceforafter a delay in diagnosing and treating cancer. isChemotherapy, a significant challenge healthcare for more than 15 years lung itself or in otherThis radiation or both are used surgery to reduce ance of recurrent cancer. the chance of recurrent cancer. providers. The fear of catching the infection must be weighed against the potential of dying Advanced stage lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy. The types of chemotherapy drugs dvanced stage cancer is treated with early. chemotherapy. The types of chemotherapy drugs fromlung cancer, if not diagnosed used are based on the type of lung cancer, age of the patient, other medical illnesses, etc. There is • Clinical expertise in the treatment of Cancer and Blood Disorders re based on the type of lung cancer, age of the patient, other medical etc. There ongoing research to the outcome in patients with lung cancer.is Most centers have now resumed routine improve screening forillnesses, cancer. A COVID test is done • State-of the-art Cancer Care, in a warm and personalized What’s new in lung cancer? ng research to improve the outcome in patients with lung cancer. prior to any hospital admissions and procedures. All healthcare practice atmosphere Targeted agents: Medicines that target certain facilities proteins or receptors on the strict cancer cells are beingof developed for the and treatment of various cancers. These targeted agents attack in screening COVID implementing mask-wearing forthe at’s newguidelines in lung cancer?for symptoms • Easily accessible location, close to GSP cancer cells specifically, sparing other cells. Targeted agents cause less severe side effects than employees and patients. measures the risk rgeted agents: Medicines that targetThese certain proteinsreduce or receptors onofthecontracting cancer cellsthe infection. chemotherapy. • Affiliated with RWJ /Barnabas Health Medical Group, a A few different targeted agents are found to be beneficial in lung cancer. Tarceva (erlotinib) Harmforinthe delaying cancer treatment: ng developed treatment of various cancers. These targeted agents attack the multispecialty physician network. is a drug that works in certain types of lung cancers carrying a mutation in a receptor called EGFR. A new drug called crizotinib was approved recently for the treatment of lung cancer that Many cancer patients have delayed their treatment due toeffects fear ofthan catching COVID. cells specifically, sparing other cells. Targeted agents cause less severe side carries a gene called ALK fusion oncogene. therapy. This is a legitimate concern because is higher you distinguishing have cancer. Treating Patients and Families with Respect and Care… Nothe two risk tumorsof are severe alike! Eveninfection among lung cancers, there areifdifferent oncologist chooses the type Tarceva of treatment based on a number of factors, including few different are foundcan to lead befeatures. beneficial in lung cancer. But targeted the delayagents in treatment to Your progression of cancer and an(erlotinib) increased risk of dying the cell type, stage, different biological markers on the cancer cells, and your other medical Ocean Hematology & Oncology ug that works carrying a mutation in a receptor called fromin it.certain types of lung cancers problems. . A new drug Most calledhospitals crizotiniband waschemotherapy approved recently for thecenters treatment lung cancer thattesting infusion are of offering COVID to www.TheCountyWoman.com The County Woman Magazine November/December 2018 a gene called oncogene.carriers of COVID prior to chemotherapy and surgical procedures. screenALK for fusion asymptomatic o two tumors alike! Even among lung cancers, aredistancing different distinguishing Strictare enforcement of mask-wearing andthere social also help to reduce the risk of es. Your oncologist chooses the typeThe of treatment on atreatment number ofcan factors, including contracting the disease. impact of based delaying be harmful, especially in 1255 Route 70, 31S • Lakewood, NJ 08701 l type, stage, different biological markers on the cancer cells, and your other medical rapidly growing cancers. The risks and benefits of treatment must be weighed against the ms. 732-961-0010 risks of contracting the infection.
Medical Professionals
November Is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
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