Quiz: Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide,1 and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.2 But there is hope for people diagnosed with this disease. There have been significant advancements in our understanding of lung cancer that have led to more treatment options, screening techniques that detect it earlier when it is more treatable, and research that is slowly lifting its stigma. But there's still more that can be done.

Before taking the quiz, you can brush up on your lung cancer knowledge here.

1. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has been shown to reduce risk of death from lung cancer by __% in high risk patients as compared to chest X-ray screening. 3

30%
20%
10%
5%
A large study found that LDCT screening reduced the risk of lung cancer death in people age 55 to 74 who had at least a 30 pack-year smoking history by approximately 20% compared to a chest X-ray. It’s recommended annually for people age 55 to 80 with a history of heavy smoking who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

2. True or False: Lung cancer only occurs in people over 50 years old. 4

True
False
Approximately 9-14% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are under the age of 50. We know now that genetics can put younger people at risk.

3. True or False: In the past two decades, there have been more than 10 major genetic discoveries important for lung cancer.5

False
True
As of 2018, scientists have discovered 19 gene mutations, or biomarkers, in lung cancer. Some of these, such as EGFR, ALK and ROS1 may help to personalize treatment.

4. In the past 10 years, how many new medicines have become available for the treatment of lung cancer?6

13
10
5
3
In the past decade, 13 new lung cancer medicines have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

5. Which of the following are possible treatments options for lung cancer?7

Targeted treatments
All of the above
Immunotherapy
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Depending on the stage of lung cancer, treatment options can include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, targeted treatments or immunotherapy.

6. A study has shown that what percentage of people with advanced cancer who never receive treatment have lung cancer?8,9,10

18%
38%
68%
Based on data from 2000 through 2008, a study found 68% of people with advanced cancer, across the most common solid tumor types and who never receive treatment, have lung cancer. Lack of treatment is thought to be due to several factors, including low referral rates to cancer specialists and negative perceptions of the disease, such as stigma and hopelessness.

We can all play a role in the evolution of lung cancer. It starts with sharing these facts to help raise awareness of the disease. You can also visit TheLungCancerProject.org to learn more about what can be done to continue progress.

References

1. Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, et al. GLOBOCAN 2012 v1.1, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 11 [Internet]. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2014.http://globocan.iarc.fr. Accessed August 8, 2018

2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2018. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2018. www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2018/cancer-facts-and-figures-2018.pdf Accessed August 8, 2018.

3. Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Screening. New England Journal of Medicine. August 11, 2011. 365(5):395-409, 2011.

4. Ak G, Metintas M, et al. Lung cancer in individuals less than 50 years of age. Lung. 2007, 185(5):279-286.

5. My Cancer Genome. Genetically Informed Cancer Medicine. https://www.mycancergenome.org Accessed August 8, 2018.

6. Hematology/Oncology (Cancer) Approvals & Safety Notifications. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov/Drugs/InformationOnDrugs/ApprovedDrugs/ucm279174.htm Accessed August 8, 2018.

7. American Cancer Society. Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell) Detailed Guide. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003115-pdf.pdf Accessed August 8, 2018.

8. Small AC, Tsao C-K, Moshier EL, et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Patients with Stage IV Solid Tumors Who Receive No Anticancer Therapy. Poster presented at The American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting on June 4, 2012.

9. Differences in primary care clinicians’ approach to non-small cell lung cancer patients compared with breast cancer. J Thorac Oncol. 2007;2(8):722–728.59.

10. Sriram N, Mills J, Lang E, Dickson H, Hamann H, Nosek B, Schiller J. Attitudes and Stereotypes in Lung Cancer versus Breast Cancer. PLOS ONE. December 23, 2015.