Animations

This animation explains how healthy lungs function and how non-small cell lung cancer can occur. Non-small cell lung cancer is one of two major types of lung cancer and it is the most common type of lung cancer in the US. This animation will help you understand what causes this type of cancer and what are its common risk factors. While cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor, there are other risk factors and this disease can occur in those who have never smoked. If you have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, this animation will help you know the kinds of questions you should ask when you meet with you doctor, including the goals of treatment and their possible benefits and also possible side effects.

This animation explains how healthy lungs function and how small cell lung cancer can occur. Small cell lung cancer is one of two major types of lung cancer and it is the 2nd most common type of lung cancer in the US. This animation explores what causes this type of cancer and what are its common risk factors. While cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor, there are other risk factors and this disease can occur in those who have never smoked. If you or a someone you know have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, this animation will help you know the kinds of questions you should ask when you meet with you doctor, including the goals of treatment and their possible benefits as well as the possible side effects.

This animation provides an overview of screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (called low-dose CT or LDCT). Screening is used to detect lung cancer early when it is most treatable. Watch to learn about the importance of lung cancer screening, who qualifies, and how low-dose CT works. Lung cancer screening is only available for people at high risk who meet certain screening eligibility criteria. Researchers have studied the safety of low-dose CT for more than 20 years. The results show that screening as recommended (for those eligible to be screened) is a low-risk and safe way to prevent many deaths from lung cancer.

This animation provides an overview of the importance of early detection and screening for lung cancer in Black Americans. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for Black American men and the second leading cause among Black American women. More Black American men die from lung cancer each year than men from any other group. For Black Americans at high risk for lung cancer, screening can save lives – and the best time to get screened is before you feel sick. Watch this animation to learn about the symptoms that could be caused by lung cancer, the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening, who is eligible for screening, what happens during a lung cancer screening test (low-dose CT scan), and questions to ask your doctor about this procedure.

This animation provides an overview of the importance of early detection and screening for lung cancer in Native Americans. Lung cancer is a leading cause of death from cancer among Native Americans. For Native Americans at high risk for lung cancer, screening can save lives – and the best time to get screened is before you feel sick. Watch this animation to learn about the symptoms that could be caused by lung cancer, the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening, who is eligible for screening, what happens during a lung cancer screening test (low-dose CT scan), and questions to ask your doctor about this procedure.

This animation explains how most patients with lung cancer are diagnosed. Some patients are diagnosed early (before they feel symptoms) because their doctors notice something in a chest x-ray or another test that was done for other reasons. Doctors use several methods and tests for diagnosing lung cancer and this animation will help you to discuss these options with your doctor. This animation also reviews people who are at higher risk for lung cancer and whether they should be screened for lung cancer. Screening is very important to increase the chances of detecting lung cancer early. The earlier the diagnosis the better the outcomes.

This animation explains how lung cancer staging is a system that doctors use to describe or classify the overall size and spread of the main tumor. Doctors need lung cancer staging information to help plan a patient’s treatment. Lung cancer is classified into several stages - the higher the stage the more advanced the spread of the disease and the more aggressive the treatment strategy. In Stage 0 the cancer is only in the top layers of the cells lining the lung’s air passages and this is the easiest stage to treat. In Stage IV the cancer has spread to the other lung, lymph nodes outside the lungs, and other parts of the body.

This animation provides an overview of comprehensive biomarker testing for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and its critical importance for every lung cancer diagnosis. Biomarker testing shows specific mutations that drive NSCLC to grow and spread. It can also show changes in the level of a protein called PD-L1. Biomarker testing helps doctors learn about your unique type of lung cancer and how best to treat it. Watch to learn about common gene mutations EGFR, ALK, KRAS, ROS1, BRAF V600E, and others. Experts recommend that anyone diagnosed with NSCLC should have biomarker testing. If you did not receive it, talk to your doctor about biomarker testing now. This is particularly important for African Americans and other minorities who tend to have higher lung cancer rates, longer wait for care, and lower survival rates. Be sure to ask your doctor about comprehensive biomarker testing.

This animation explains how most patients with NSCLC are treated more than 1 type of treatment. That can include with surgery, radiation therapy, or drug therapy. In various stages of lung cancer, there are also supportive treatments to ease pain and discomfort; prevent and treat side effects; help you deal with stress and anxiety; and if you have not already done so, to help you stop smoking. Palliative treatments also exist to ease symptoms and improve quality of life.

This animation explains how most patients with small cell lung cancer are treated. Most patients receive chemotherapy (or "chemo" for short) and radiation therapy. There are also supportive treatments to ease pain and discomfort; prevent and treat side effects; help you deal with stress and anxiety; and if you have not already done so, to help you stop smoking. Palliative treatments also exist to ease symptoms and improve quality of life.

This animation explains how immunotherapy works for lung cancer. Immunotherapy uses medicine to stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. The immunotherapy drugs that are most often used to treat lung cancer are called "checkpoint inhibitors." On the surface of cancer cells there are proteins that “put the brakes” on the immune system. They serve as “checkpoints” that stop the immune system from launching an all-out assault on cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors work by “taking off the brakes” and giving the immune system free rein to release special cells called T cells that attack the cancer. Watch to learn about checkpoint proteins called PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, considerations for combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy, as well as learn about possible side effects of immunotherapy for lung cancer.

This animation provides an overview of several immunotherapy treatments that have been approved for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. This animation also describes how your doctor will evaluate whether immunotherapy is right for you, possible treatment side effects, and clinical trials. It's important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor or cancer care team, so you can make the best decisions that are right for you. Side effects of immunotherapy are often treated with prednisone, a drug that suppresses your immune system. Your immunotherapy will be stopped until the side effects clear up.

This animation provides an overview of several immunotherapy treatments that have been approved for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. This animation also describes how your doctor will evaluate whether immunotherapy is right for you, possible treatment side effects, and clinical trials. It’s very important to report any side effects to your health care team promptly. Side effects of immunotherapy are often treated with drugs that suppress your immune system. Your immunotherapy will be stopped until the side effects clear up. Discuss all of your treatment options as with your health care team, so you can make decisions that are right for you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask to have it explained.

This animation provides an overview of targeted therapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment directed towards specific mutations that drive cancer to grow and spread. Watch to learn about targeted therapy for common gene mutations such as EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF. You may qualify for targeted therapy based on the results of biomarker testing. This testing allows doctors to prescribe treatment that is tailored to your individual cancer. Be sure to ask your doctor about biomarker testing and targeted therapy. Targeted therapy offers hope and can make an important difference in your health outcomes.

This animation explains what clinical trials are, how they are conducted, and why they are important for patients with lung cancer. Lung cancer clinical trials are research studies in which people volunteer to help test new treatments, procedures, or ways to diagnose or screen for lung cancer. Clinical trials for lung cancer are needed to find new lung cancer treatments, safer treatments, and more. This animation also provides an overview of study design, eligibility criteria, informed consent, safeguards, the phases of clinical trials, and the potential benefits and risks of participation. Be sure to ask your doctor about joining a clinical trial for your lung cancer. You can ask anytime before or during treatment.

This animation provides an overview of the importance of lung cancer clinical trials in the Black American community. For Black men in the United States, lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. It is the second for Black women. Researchers are working hard to develop new ways to screen for, diagnose, and treat lung cancer for everyone. However, they need more Black people to join lung cancer clinical trials in order to truly represent Black people and develop treatments that work well for their genetic makeup. Watch this animation to learn about the importance of Black representation in lung cancer clinical trials, questions to ask about trial participation, the potential benefits and risks of participation, and how lung cancer clinical trials can help the Black community's health now and for future generations.

This animation provides an overview of the importance of lung cancer clinical trials in the Native American community. Lung cancer is a leading cause of death from cancer among Native Americans, including those who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous communities. Researchers are working hard on new ways to screen for, diagnose, and treat lung cancer for everyone. However, they need more Native people to join lung cancer clinical trials in order to truly represent Native people and develop treatments that work well for their genetic makeup. Watch this animation to learn about the importance of Native American representation in clinical trials, disparities affecting Native Americans with lung cancer, questions to ask about trial participation, and the potential benefits and risks of participation. Traditional healers have a strong role to play as well and can work with hospitals and other treatment providers. To learn more about clinical trials and how to participate in one, please talk to your doctor.

This animation provides an overview of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and different treatment options. The good news is that specific treatments can target EGFR mutations. If you have an EGFR mutation, you may be a candidate for targeted therapy, and there are many treatments that target EGFR. Watch to learn about tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), monoclonal antibody drugs, managing side effects, the importance of repeat biomarker testing, clinical trials, and more.

This animation provides an overview of KRAS mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and different treatment options. The first treatment for NSCLC with a KRAS mutation may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The exact treatment depends on the stage of cancer, your general health, and other factors. Watch to learn about biomarker testing, targeted therapy that targets the KRAS G12C mutation, side effects of KRAS inhibitors, clinical trials, and more.

This animation provides an overview of treatments for less common mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ALK, BRAF, ROS1, HER2, and MET. The good news is that specific treatments can target these mutations. Watch to learn about different targeted therapy treatment options, common side effects, the importance of clinical trials, and more.

This animation provides an overview of immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with PD-1 and PD-L1 biomarkers. The option of immunotherapy is one more reason why everyone diagnosed with NSCLC should have biomarker testing. Watch to learn about PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 checkpoint proteins, and the different immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs that act on PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. You can also learn about finding a clinical trial if you have PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4.

This animation provides an overview of prehabilitation and how it can improve lung function to help boost your physical health, mental health, and nutrition before your lung cancer surgery to achieve best outcomes. Prehabilitation can increase the chances of a successful surgery and reduce the time it takes to recover. If you discuss lung cancer surgery with your doctor, be sure to also talk about prehabilitation. Watch to learn about the challenges of lung cancer surgery, the benefits of prehabilitation, prehabilitation strategies, and more.

This animation explains how a prehabilitation ("prehab") plan can help you physically and mentally cope with lung cancer surgery and treatment, while also helping with your recovery. Each activity in your prehab program helps you prepare for surgery and will help you enjoy a better outlook and quality of life after treatment. Watch to learn about the most common types of prehab for lung cancer, different respiratory exercises, diet recommendations, physical exercises, and more.