Yes, non-smokers get lung cancer too. Early detection critical in fighting deadly disease.

In the spring of 2015, Lorretta Griffis’ nagging cough wouldn’t go away. For several weeks, her doctor had tried antibiotics and various cough medicines to no avail.

The Troy Idaho resident found herself short of breath throughout the day, gasping for air while performing tasks at her daycare business. Things were getting worse and eventually she went to the hospital. An x-ray began to reveal what was going on  — her right lung was full of brown fluid, and there was a dark mass in the lungs. Further tests confirmed that she had lung cancer.

“I was very much in shock and disbelief,” said Griffis. “Cancer doesn’t run in my family and I am not a smoker. Luckily, it was caught in time.”

Griffis never figured she would become a statistic. The American Lung Association estimates 224,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, and that roughly 20 percent of the people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.

“I treat people who have never smoked or had exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Dr. David Bartels, a Medical Oncologist at the Summit Cancer Centers in Post Falls.

“Most of the time the common cold or the flu have time frames that should allow a person to get better, but if you’ve got a cough that lasts over two weeks it’s time seek medical care. Don’t be nervous about asking for a lung screening. Early detection of lung cancer is critical to survival.”

Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer for men and women. An estimated 158,080 Americans are expected to die from lung cancer in 2016, accounting for approximately 27 percent of all cancer deaths. More lives are lost to lung cancer than to colorectal, pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers combined.

While lung screenings and early diagnosis of the disease are essential, treating lung cancer is paramount. New treatment options range from participating in clinical trials of  new cancer fighting drugs to using immunotherapy treatments which boost the body’s natural abilities to fend off disease.

Technology also plays a vital role in the fight against cancer. Summit Cancer Centers employs the CyberKnife, a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that delivers high doses of stereotactic radiation directly to the tumor, sparing healthy tissue, with surgical accuracy, reducing and eliminating side effects. CyberKnife can be used for patients who are inoperable.

“Giving the patient options allows the medical team to aggressively attack cancer with new drugs, new therapies and advanced technology,” said Dr. Brian Samuels, Medical Oncologist.  “For example, the Cyberknife can be used for patients who can’t have surgery for whatever reason.”

Griffis, 65, credits the medical team at the Summit Cancer Centers in Post Falls for saving her life by providing complete and comprehensive healthcare.

“My doctor, Dr. Samuels, was so loving and caring,” she said. “He was so involved in finding the best course of treatment for me. He put me on a new drug that allowed me to avoid having surgery.”

She also recommends people get lung screenings if they’re having problems breathing or a long lasting cough.

“If you have any doubts, get a lung screening,” said Griffis. “Don’t wait.”

For more information about Summit Cancer Centers, visit http://www.summitcancercenters.com/

Shine a Light on Lung Cancer

Summit Cancer Centers is hosting the 8th Annual Shine a Light on Lung Cancer event at 6 p.m. Wednesday at 1641 E. Polston Ave. #102 in Post Falls.

Post Falls will join over 200 cities in the nation to welcome lung cancer patients, caregivers and families, to have them join us to honor and celebrate those affected by lung cancer, and in recognizing the medical advances, challenges, and hope, for those with the disease. Dr. Todd Hoopman, Pulmonologist from North Idaho Lung & Asthma and Dr. Kari-Lynn Kelly, Radiation Oncologist from Spokane CyberKnife will give presentations on cutting edge treatment options.

Summit Cancer Centers is a rapidly growing independent cancer care organization, offering medical and radiation oncology, advanced medical imaging, chemotherapy infusion services and the only CyberKnife in the Inland Northwest. It currently operates three comprehensive Cancer Centers in Spokane, the Spokane Valley, and in Post Falls. As a member of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Summit Cancer Centers is expanding regional oncology services, and is collaborating to bring their world renowned cancer care expertise to the Inland Northwest area.  

By MARC STEWART

Director of Sponsored Content