EXCEPT LC

What did we expect from the 3 Networks? Their news is not fair & balanced why should we expect fair coverage of LC.

Some how we have to notify and educate the public that in years to come LC will increase with the aging of the baby boomers some of whom smoked but many who were around those contaminants such as asbestos, etc.

Early diagnosis could save many with current treatments, proper funding now for research could save many more.

I suggest in addition to contacting our elected officials we could petition FOX, PBS and or the three networks develop and present a fair and balanced portrayal of LC today the largest "C" killer and what may be expected in the future without immediate action.

Sorry to have injected politics in original post. What bothers me is that everytime an important issue comes up and is aired it seems the annointed ones do our talking. We need a platform on National media to educate the public and dispel the stero type. Commercials may be a way to go. I don't seek 15 minutes of fame, but I was caught early and want others to have that chance that I was afforded with early detection.

There are many good things going on at this site, Las Vegas program, posters (I print and pass out) and the latest that we could all get behind and discuss how to promote "Screaming for Screening".

I know there is a recent study that claims early detection does not save lives, cannot explain that to me, I'm still here 2 plus years beyond DX.

By Angie-in-SC
Posted September 7, 2008 at 3:04 pm

I truly agree. That truly irritated me to witness the biased audience cheering for Obama. I thought it was about cancer awareness and raising funds, not politics. To be honest, it was not what I expected for the format to be like.

By MarionW
Posted September 7, 2008 at 3:37 pm

The only reason any of these people do anything is for money. The left left left bias of these stations is disgusting. The only reason in my opinion that they did this is to have people tune in and then hit them with Obama because they wouldn't tune in if they knew it was going to be about him in any way. Cancer is always a heartstring puller. how low can you go ?We should absolutely protest.

The way I do it is I turn the channel.

By Marine
Posted September 7, 2008 at 4:56 pm

I totally agree but what would you expect from NBC, CBS or ABC? All three are so far left that I don't watch them anymore and only watched because of the stand up to cancer program. Thank God for FOX. That seems to be all I watch for news anymore.
Skip H.

By who-me
Posted September 7, 2008 at 6:21 pm

Didn't you know? Lung Cancer is the "SHAME CANCER". The first question is ALWAYS, "Did you smoke"? SICK!!! And, barely a mention of Peter Jennings, whom I admired as a professional and a man! AND Obama, a smoker, former smoker, whatever...........!
It disgusts me! Our government regulates and PROFITS from the number ONE cause of lung cancer, cigarettes & smoking, and SOLD it to entire generations of OUR loved ones, and still continues!!!! YET, our government funds lung cancer research the LEAST!
I'M HOPPING MAD!!!!!
And the traditional networks bias SUCKS!!!

Donate straight to Lung Cancer specific research!!!!

By Bette_Tx
Posted September 7, 2008 at 7:09 pm

I didn't get to see any of the network shows but if it was as political as it sounds, I'm glad I didn't watch them.

I am very disappointed but not surprised that lung cancer was barely mentioned. It's going to take alot of public awareness to make the public understand that lung cancer deserves the same respect and funding as any other cancer, regardless of whether we smoked or not.

But what do you expect when the big tobacco companies are a major contributor to these politicians? I suppose our cries of help need to go to the tobacco companies.

Not trying to be funny, but wasn't the research study that suggested the CTscan be used as a lung cancer screening test funded by the tobacco industry? Of course that study was rebuked by many doctors who said there was no convincing evidence that routine CTscan testing helped - that they might do more harm than good because of the additional lung surgeries that would arise from these scans.

But if not that, at least have people have a routine chest xray once a year. My husband had a physical in March of this year. Did his internist include a chest xray? No, because he had one on last year's physical exam. As a result, my husband who was a smoker for about 15 years, will go two years without a xray and doesn't qualify for a CTscan unless something shows up first on the xray.

My oncologist told me my cancer had been growing less than a year yet it was discovered on a chest xray. One of my doctor ordered it because I said I was short of breath. I thought the shorness of breath was due to my myasthenia gravis. She suspected something else. Now I realize what an observant doctor she was .. I take her a package of candy live savers every time I see her.

Somehow, some way, something's gotta give and change before lung cancer is given the top priority and funding it deserves.

Bette

By peyz33
Posted September 7, 2008 at 7:26 pm

You know what - let's take the $$$$$$ and use it for research - and who really cares why they showed up for a "I'm better than you" contest - frankly I was disappointed until that big donation was made for $25 Million -
Karen

By Toddy
Posted September 7, 2008 at 7:46 pm

In my part of the our State, breast cancer events are the happening thing, many of the social galas of the season are planned around it as a reason to go out there and be noticed for the Sunday social section of the newspaper. Our local TV news anchor's grandmother apparently had to deal with BC. For that I am very sorry but because she is such an advocate for BC nothing else is ever mentioned.

Perhaps so much attention is paid to breast cancer, prostate and colon cancer because they all have tests in place for early detection and show good results from that early detection. Compared to a CT I guess those tests aren't as expensive as a chest CT but how much less is a mammogram, PSA and colonoscopy? Certainly a colonoscopy is more than a chest CT? Let's just start with an annual chest film for pity sake!

Perhaps we are ignored because we often aren't diagnosed early enough and our survival rates are very bad compared to the other three I mentioned (could that be because we lack early detection tests) or doctors don't think those without history couldn't possibly have LC?
Or is it because there are so many of us and LC is frightening to everyone, so much easier to write off to behavior due to a refusal to acknowledge you don't have to smoke or smoked to have LC. I think it's the latter

By D1
Posted September 7, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Last night, I wrote my Federal Rep. Peter King (R) specifically asking about funding for lung cancer research. I'll let you know if he answers and what he says. I plan to write my NYS Senator Schumer (D) tonight; I'll let you know if he answers and what he says.

I don't care what party they hail from if they help. Fighting disease must cut across party lines.

From past experience, there's no point in writing Hillary Clinton about anything unless she's getting a photo op out of it. She is just totally self-serving.

By BetsyT
Posted September 7, 2008 at 11:43 pm

I've been on this site for almost 2 yrs. now & we go round & round discussing this most painful topic of disregard for LC. But Bette & Toddy brought the root of this neglect to the forefront once again.THEY WILL NOT SCREEN FOR LC. Why not focus on SCREAMING FOR SCREENING -Wouldn't the rest just follow.??? My PCP told me that their ONLY required "screening" is to advise patients to QUIT SMOKING. Christina Applegate is starting funding for a THIRD ,more comprehensive screening for BC (And more power to her). But we haven't even left the gate . Yeah, we need funding, research,...But 1st we have to get the Docs. to stop perpetuating the myths. I think it begins & ends with our Med. providers.(And Ins. Cos.) I've told everyone I know to screen -At least a chest x-ray. Wouldn't this be a way to start pushing toward the front of the line? Betsy

By dands
Posted September 8, 2008 at 8:17 am

I didn't think it was necessary to add comments from McCain and O'Bama into the cancer fund raising special. I do not recall which channel we watched because i am out of state and don't know which channel my sister had it on. But i did not think it was very political on that channel. I was not surprised to see so little mention of lung cancer, but was surprised to see a background banner with lung cancer info on it. I do not know what the final tally will be for donations, but was happy that the one gentleman gave 25 million. I liked the part where the richer people and the celebrities were challenged to give up some of their big bucks for this cause. I intend to continue to give my dollars to lung cancer research as i am sure the other kinds of cancer will get more then their fair share from this fund raiser.

By SusanL1
Posted September 8, 2008 at 8:45 am

Betsy is exactly right. If the doctors will stop letting the insurance companies dictate our treatment and screenings based on cost, a lot of us would have probably been diagnosed a lot earlier than we were. Funding is important to find a cure and better screening process, but it needs to start with the doctors and insurance companies to order the needed tests. How do we do this?
Betsy - you need to start a Scream for Screening campaign! What a great slogan!
Susan

By Bette_Tx
Posted September 8, 2008 at 9:31 am

Toddy wrote:
"could that be because we lack early detection tests) or doctors don't think those without history couldn't possibly have LC? "

Toddy, my chest xray which showed the spot on my lungs was ordered by a neurologist who treats me for my myasthenia gravis. After she told me I needed a CTscan and this nodule could very well be cancer, I was scared to death. I made an appt. with my family doctor, an internist, who I have used for the past 8 years. I told him I was very concerned about having lung cancer. He smiled and replied "Well if I were a betting man, I'd bet you don't have cancer." He reassured me of the fact that he was 99.9% sure I didn't have cancer. Well he lost but I truly believe he didn't think I had lung cancer because I was a non-smoker.

I had seen him a couple weeks prior to the xray with aching, general fatigue, and 102 temp. He thought I had the flu and prescribed antibiotics. But it never developed into anything but that one night with fever. Now I know it was the cancer causing the fever. Had I not had this appt. with my neurologist, an xray would never have been done and I would not have known I had cancer until it very advanced.

Screaming for screening!!!!!

Bette

By Toddy
Posted September 8, 2008 at 9:40 am

Bette,

Mine was found by accident too. A chest film was done during a stress test and an abnormality found. My doctor diagnosed it as atypical pneumonia and had me wait six weeks for a follow up film. That film showed no change, the doctor said have another in six months....I changed doctors and from there it was a whirlwind.

BetsyT, thank you for the slogan
I'm "Screaming for Screening" too.

By rdeegee
Posted September 8, 2008 at 10:16 am

I know that a chest x-ray isn't the final be all / end all for Lung Cancer but it certainly is an easy place to start. Like so many others, my cancer was found quiet by accident. An x-ray to see how the arthritis in my next was doing.

A chest x-ray isn't that expensive and I have begged everyone one that I know to include one in their yearly physicals even if they have to pay for it themselves. I know that there is the occasional cancer that doesn't show up on an x-ray but it's at least a way to start and I know so very very many people whose cancer was found accidentally in a routine x-ray. People keep saying to me, Ruth...is there anything I/we can do for you...and I always say yes...promise me you will have a chest x-ray.

By LuckyLass
Posted September 8, 2008 at 10:17 am

Betsy, I totally agree. The shift needs to happen with doctors first! My LC was found accidentally by xray as part of some lung function tests for my asthma. Lo and behold, a 5 cm tumor behind my heart. Yet, because of my age and lack of risk factors, the pulmonologist who discovered it wanted to wait a full six months without seeing me and then rescan to see if it grew. Fortunately another doctor intervened, only as it was pressing on my heart, and insisted it needed to come out ASAP (still assuming it wasn't cancer, either). Obviously we now know a different outcome. My onc insists it was one of the most aggressive tumors she has seen, and guarenteed me I would not have made that six month check up. I still get (from doctors) "How did this happen??" They need to be re-educated on this disease.

I'm ready to scream with you!

By kcofrancesco
Posted September 8, 2008 at 1:34 pm

Hello All,

Lung cancer screening is a hot topic in the scientific community right now. We all know that chest x-rays are outdated technology and can miss tumors or small nodules throughout the lung. The issue at the moment is not whether a chest CT can find lung cancer, but rather, what to do when it is found.

At this point, the best published practices on this matter are from the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP). For over 15 years, this group of scientists in over 30 sites throughout the country and the world, have been screening, using a chest CT, those at high risk for lung cancer. This means those who have a certain pack year history, family history or environmental or occupational exposures.

There study shows that when lung cancer is found and treated early, there is a 92% TEN year survival rate. This is groundbreaking and truly remarkable. Though there is no federally approved standardized screening protocol for lung cancer, the reality is that CTs are being used across the country.

At LCA we advise those at high risk for lung cancer to talk to your doctors about the risks and benefits of CT screening for lung cancer. If you want more information about the study, you can go directly to the I-ELCAP website. www.ielcap.org

Clearly, as with all other major cancers, finding lung cancer early is the key to increasing survival rates.

Kay

By summeron2001
Posted September 8, 2008 at 2:07 pm

My lung cancer was also found by mistake by a chest x-ray. Went down to a medical clinic because of a painful rib which I had hurt swatting at a bee a couple of weeks earlier. Boy, did things move fast. As I had no other signs I am sure if I hadn't gone to the clinic I wouldn't be here today.

By a_white_rabbit
Posted September 8, 2008 at 2:42 pm

..just to balance things..

..wow, there's some right, right wing fascists around here...

..you have a problem with education, health care, decent housing, and old age care for all ?...

..i don't, comrade..

..and i'm still picking up the bits that left your, USA's, only colony as a total disaster, 3rd world zone..

..damn, . the Phils have a smaller land area than Wales, and you couldn't even get that to run correctly before you finally took the hint..

..and before i get banned, please read the postings by MarionW, and the support from Marine, then bann them too, s'only fair..

..now can we please get back to a focused site, and just keep off the politics..

By BetsyT
Posted September 8, 2008 at 6:12 pm

Hi Kay,
Don't mean to sound daft,but I'm missing your point.There is no screening in place. And although x-rays are outdated -It's better than nothing.
I'm not sure I get what you're saying. Why is it an "issue as to what to do when something is found". Isn't that what treatment is for? And the CT screenings across the country are still limited to high risk individuals. It makes no sense -How can early detection help us if there is nothing in place to DETECT with.? I mean no offense, I think you are great but I am confused.I interpreted what you said to mean they don't want to find it cause then they won't know what to do about it.? Meanwhile what we don't know about can't hurt us-But we'd better catch it early?? Betsy

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