Much work needs to be done to raise public awareness about the issues surrounding lung cancer, and to alleviate the severe stigma associated with this disease, worldwide. We are very pleased to participate in this important conference and begin to build a global advocacy network. The statistics of lung cancer are staggering. While most researchers agree it is a more sensitive test than the standard chest x-ray, it remains a major debate whether spiral CT scanning will become standard. It is our hope that research continues to improve the ability to treat lung cancer in earlier stages, when it is potentially curable.
Surgery is the current standard therapy for early stage lung cancer.
Clinical trials are being done to evaluate the benefit of pre-operative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy in improving survival for early stage lung cancer patients. Ultimately, clinical research will determine the best treatment options for early stage lung cancer. Exciting new treatment advances in molecular genetics and biology, and other novel approaches are providing options and hope for patients. New chemotherapy drugs and combinations of drugs are in constant development. Lung cancer survivor Ken Giddes was diagnosed in 1992 with stage IV lung cancer and was very lucky to benefit from these new advances in drug therapy.