Robert Winn, a lung cancer specialist at Virginia Commonwealth University, has indicated that new treatments are enabling smokers to survive lung cancer. On April 12th, it was reported that Denise Lee, a lifelong smoker, had been cured of the disease.
"We've gone from that to molecular characterization of your lung cancer, and it has been a game changer," said Winn. "This is where science and innovation has an impact."
According to the American Lung Association, Lee was prompted to get screened for lung cancer after seeing a billboard featuring an African American woman and a message urging past smokers to get checked. The screening revealed a small but dangerous tumor. Six years later, Lee is now free of lung cancer thanks to the successful removal of the tumor and subsequent treatments. While Lee's story is certainly inspiring, it reflects a broader trend across America where approximately 135,000 Americans succumb to lung cancer each year. This figure surpasses the combined deaths from breast and colon cancer, underscoring lung cancer's deadly reputation. However, advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of the disease have led to increasing survival rates.
Winn further elaborates on these advancements in his conversation with the American Lung Association. He highlights how the major breakthrough has been the ability to target mutations in patients' cancers which can guide future treatment - knowledge that was not widely understood in previous years due to complex and misunderstood treatments. In response to this newfound understanding, targeted treatment has become more prevalent; this approach delivers drugs directly to genetic biomarkers channeling tumors and consequently shrinks them. Alongside other treatments, this method has contributed to an annual increase in survival rates up to 22%.
As per information from Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winn holds a B.A from Notre Dame as well as an M.D from University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. He serves as Director and Lipman Chair in Oncology at VCU and Senior Associate Dean for Cancer Innovation and Professor of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at VCU. Currently serving as Massey's fourth director, Winn oversees over 150 scientists on a daily basis.
