First Of Its Kind Lung Cancer Forum To Be Hosted By The BC Cancer Foundation, Canada

Main Category: Lung Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 02 Nov 2007 - 6:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

After a grueling hockey practice one evening, 46-year old Michael Meeking was alarmed to find himself coughing up blood. Thinking it was just a sports injury, or something that could be easily fixed with antibiotics, he was shocked when a CT scan revealed a massive tumour in his lungs.

"I used to think lung cancer was an 'old man's disease'," says the part-time drama teacher, who also makes a living as "Meeks", a clown/juggler for private and corporate events, "but now I see that it can affect anyone, no matter how active and otherwise healthy you may be."

Meeking, an active father of four teenagers, began standard chemotherapy treatment, but after three weeks, cancer was detected in his liver and brain. The drugs had not been very effective, and his doctor offered clinical trials as an alternate treatment method. Meeking was keen to give it a try.

"Clinical trials are a way to evaluate new drugs, devices or techniques," says BC Cancer Agency medical oncologist Dr. Cheryl Ho. "They are the key to making advancements in lung cancer treatment."

"The BC Cancer Agency is involved in many research initiatives to improve lung cancer outcomes. These include early detection programs, new surgical procedures, functional imaging (PET scans) and the investigation of new chemotherapy drugs through clinical trials," says Dr. Ho. "Recent advances in cancer biology have resulted in the development of new targeted drug treatments that try to selectively kill cancer cells and leave healthy cells alone. The BC Cancer Agency is at the forefront of cancer research and we believe there is a lot of hope for the future of lung cancer treatment."

The issues, challenges, and treatment options surrounding lung cancer will be topics at the first-ever Lung Cancer Education Day, sponsored by the BC Cancer Foundation and hosted at the BC Cancer Agency's Research Centre.

Patients, their families and friends are invited to learn from Agency researchers and clinicians who will discuss lung cancer screening and early detection, treatment options, clinical trials and living with lung cancer. Meeking and another lung cancer patient will share their experiences coping with the disease.

The Lung Cancer Education Day is also an opportunity to raise awareness around this highly-stigmatized cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among both men and women. It takes more lives each year than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Although historically people believed these cancers were only caused by smoking, it is clear in the last decade that the rate of lung cancer in non-smokers is rapidly rising. In fact, about 20 percent of lung cancers are found in people who have never smoked at all. If diagnosed early, lung cancer can be eradicated in over 90 percent of patients.

What: The BC Cancer Agency's Lung Cancer Education Day

When: November 3, 2007 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, 675 W. 10th Avenue

Admission is free and lunch and refreshments will be provided. Advance public registration is requested, by calling 604.707.5908, as seating is limited.

The BC Cancer Agency, an Agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca

• Additional
• References
• Citations