November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, with smoking being responsible for about 90% of lung cancer in men and 80% in women. The document provides information on risk factors for lung cancer like smoking and radon exposure, as well as prevention through not smoking and screening. Treatment options discussed include surgery, radiation therapy, and stereotactic body radiation therapy using CyberKnife.

1. Lung Cancer
Awareness
Month

2. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November is dedicated to increasing
public understanding of lung cancer,
including its prevalence, approaches
to screening and prevention and
treatment options.
Please note: The information presented here is not all-
inclusive. Rather, it represents a starting point to learn
more about medical conditions and treatment options.
There is no substitute for consulting a medical professional.
1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

3. The Facts:
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.
• It is estimated that smoking is the principal cause of
about 90% of lung cancer in men and almost 80% in
women.
• About 226,160 new cases of lung cancer will be
diagnosed in 2012 (116,470 in men and 109,690 in
women).
• Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of most lung
cancers, but there are other factors, too. Exposure to
asbestos, radon, environmental factors or secondhand
smoke can cause lung cancer.
Source: American Cancer Society
1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

4. Risk Factors Prevention
• Tobacco use. • Don't smoke. If you do smoke,
quit now.
• Secondhand smoke from
others’ cigarettes. • Avoid secondhand smoke.
There is no risk-free level of
• Radon gas in the home. secondhand smoke exposure.
• Chronic lung disease such • Have your home tested for
as emphysema. radon and take corrective
action if high levels are found.
• Family history or increased
age. • Follow screening guidelines
recommended by the
American Lung Association.
1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

5. Lung Cancer Treatment Options
Surgery: Some patients have small tumors that can be
removed surgically, but they may suffer from other
medical problems that prevent them from being surgical
candidates or they may be opposed to surgery. In these
cases, important treatment options like CyberKnife® offer
an alternative.
External-Beam Radiation Therapy: For patients who
cannot tolerate surgery, external-beam radiation
therapy (EBRT) is an option, although this treatment can
be lengthy and difficult for some patients to endure.
EBRT delivers focused radiation to a tumor but also
encompasses a large margin of normal tissue.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic
radiosurgery systems like the CyberKnife® can offer
effective treatment of lung tumors while carrying a low
risk of side effects. Treatment is noninvasive, spares
healthy tissue and typically involves three to five
outpatient procedures.
1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com

6. Our Center
Illinois CyberKnife is part of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s renowned
Cancer Care Center, located in the Center for Advanced Care on the hospital’s
campus. Our doctors are board-certified in radiation oncology and have several
areas of specialty, including head and neck cancers, prostate cancer and lung
cancer.
Medical Director: Dr. Arica Hirsch
CyberKnife Nurse: Linda Green, BS RN
Other Resources
1700 Luther Lane Suite 1110 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 723-0100 www.illinoisck.com