The key to increased life expectancy when battling extremely aggressive cancers like mesothelioma is early detection. Unfortunately, researchers have yet to develop an effective lung cancer screening tool.
While breast cancer has the mammogram and prostate cancer has the PSA, lung cancer does not have an equivalent test for detection. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) identifies chest x-rays, CT scans, PET scans and the bronchoscopy as tests used to diagnose lung cancer, but these tests are only effective after a patient has presented worsening respiratory symptoms.
Patients with mesothelioma often have symptoms such as a persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and wheezing, similar to other respiratory illnesses. Typically, when a patient first exhibits these symptoms, doctors first treat them for a respiratory infection. They only test for cancer later. This leads to a late diagnosis, when the disease is already causing life-threatening complications.
Studies are underway to find an effective lung cancer and mesothelioma screening tool. Some researchers have developed tests to detect circulating tumor cells. Other tests include Cornell’s “glowing dots” that would attach to cancer cells and glow during a PET scan, and an electronic nose to detect mesothelioma in an exhaled breath.
There is hope that someday soon research will catch up with the dire need of future mesothelioma sufferers for early detection.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs, LLP – mesothelioma attorneys