On October 8, local healthcare providers in South Carolina convened with the American Lung Association to explore advancements in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. The event, titled "South Carolina Community Connections: Lung Cancer Patient, Identification, Screening and Biomarker Testing," took place at the Queen Street Playhouse.
"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. But there is hope. Research has fueled advancements in detection and treatment in the past decade, increasing the survival rate by 44 percent," stated Dr. Michael A. Spandorfer, Medical Director of Interventional Pulmonology and Advanced Bronchoscopy at Roper St. Francis Healthcare.
A key focus was on low-dose CT lung cancer screening tests which are crucial for early detection when the disease is more likely to be curable. Despite their importance, only 6.8% of high-risk individuals in South Carolina have been screened.
The discussion also highlighted biomarker testing that identifies DNA changes within tumors, offering targeted treatments with fewer side effects by focusing on cancer cells rather than healthy ones.
Healthcare professionals from various fields including primary care, oncology, pulmonology, thoracic surgery as well as medical students attended this gathering presented by AstraZeneca.
The community is encouraged to support the American Lung Association's mission through events like the LUNG FORCE Run/Walk at Folly Beach County Park on November 9, coinciding with National Lung Cancer Screening Day.
