Expert Videos

Lung cancer expert Dr. Abbie Begnaud of the University of Minnesota discusses why early detection of lung cancer is so important. She explains that if lung cancer can be found early – even when there are no symptoms – it's more likely to be cured with treatment. When diagnosed late, lung cancer can be hard to treat successfully. Finding lung cancer early can lead to better outcomes.

Dr. Abbie Begnaud, an expert pulmonologist at the University of Minnesota, provides an overview of lung cancer preventative screening. She explains that lung cancer screening with a low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) scan, looks for small "spots" on the lungs when a person has no symptoms. Dr. Begnaud further discusses that screening can help diagnose lung cancer early which can lead to a much better health outcome.

Dr. Abbie Begnaud, a lung cancer expert at the University of Minnesota, discusses who should have low-dose CT lung cancer screening and how often. She explains that a low-dose CT of the chest is not for everyone but rather reserved for people who have a high risk of lung cancer, in particular a history of cigarette smoking. She recommends that people who do get screened with a low-dose CT should do so annually to improve survival through early detection.

Lung cancer specialist Dr. Abbie Begnaud of the University of Minnesota provides an overview of what to expect during a low-dose CT lung cancer screening scan. She describes the test as being easy, quick, and non-invasive. The test will be led and supervised by the imaging center staff and the results will be made available to your doctor within a few days.

Dr. Abbie Begnaud, a lung cancer specialist, discusses the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening. She explains the primary benefit of a low-dose CT scan is early detection of lung cancer when treatment may work better. Researchers have studied the safety of low-dose CT for more than 20 years. The results show that screening as recommended, for people who are eligible to be screened, is a low-risk and safe way to prevent many deaths from lung cancer. Dr. Begnaud also talks about the downsides of a low-dose CT scan which include radiation exposure, the potential for "incidental" findings, and false positives, which can lead to additional testing and anxiety. She emphasizes shared decision-making with your healthcare team, discussing the benefits, limitations, and potential risks of screening.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Abbie Begnaud discusses whether there are any alternatives to lung cancer screening with low-dose CT. She explains that currently, the only approved screening method for lung cancer is the low-dose CT scan, which has undergone rigorous testing in multiple large study trials. Dr. Begnaud discusses other screening tests in development, including new kinds of blood tests, exhaled breath analysis tests, and the use of artificial intelligence as a tool for analyzing scans for features that the human eye may not detect. In the future, Dr. Begnaud believes that there will be more tools available to screen and diagnose lung cancer.

Dr. Abbie Begnaud, a pulmonologist specializing in lung cancer, provides an overview of how and where to get screened for lung cancer. She recommends checking if you meet eligibility criteria for insurance coverage since most private insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid programs will provide coverage for lung cancer screening tests. Dr. Begnaud explains that it is important to be screened at a center that has experienced specialists and the right equipment for low-dose CT. If you are not sure, contact your local clinic as they should be able to assist you with finding a location.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Abbie Begnaud explains how low-dose CT can detect lung cancer. She explains how your radiologist and healthcare team will evaluate the results of your low-dose CT scan and look for spots (called nodules) that are not supposed to be there. Nodules will be examined for various features, including their number, size, shape, and opacity, resulting in a score that can be used as a gauge to determine follow-up recommendations and next steps.

Thoracic surgeon Dr. Fatima Wilder discusses why early detection and screening for lung cancer is so important for Black Americans and discusses the impact of lung cancer on Black American communities. In the United States, lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for Black men and the second leading cause among Black women. More Black American men die from lung cancer each year than men from any other group. More Black women die of lung cancer than Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or Latina women. Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer at a young age, and at a later stage, when lung cancer can be hard to treat successfully. Dr. Wilder explains that if lung cancer can be found early, even when there are no symptoms, it's more likely to be cured with treatment. The risk of lung cancer being higher in Black Americans can be decreased through screening and early detection.

Dr. Fatima Wilder, a physician specializing in thoracic surgery, discusses some of the reasons why Black Americans are less likely to be screened for lung cancer. She talks about disparities and barriers that may be faced when attempting to get screened, such as less access to primary care physicians and medical appointments, and lack of insurance coverage. Some people may not know about screening for lung cancer. Because of racial discrimination and past abuses like the Tuskegee health study, there can be a sense of distrust among certain members of the Black community towards the medical system.

Dr. Fatima Wilder, a thoracic surgeon and lung cancer expert, discusses who should be screened for lung cancer using low-dose CT screening and how often. She explains that a low-dose CT scan is reserved for people who have a high risk for lung cancer. Those who are at high risk are eligible for yearly lung cancer screening if they are between 50 and 80 years old, currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years, smoked a pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for at least 10 years, and have no symptoms that could be caused by lung cancer.

Thoracic surgeon Dr. Fatima Wilder provides an overview of what to expect during a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer. She describes the test as being easy, quick, and non-invasive. You don't need to fast, get injections, or do any other preparation for the test. You will need to remove any metal you're wearing, such as jewelry. If you're feeling sick, you'll need to reschedule the test for when you feel better.

Dr. Fatima Wilder, a physician specializing in thoracic surgery, discusses the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening. She explains the benefit of a low-dose CT scan is finding lung cancer early so that it can be treated early and effectively. Dr. Wilder also talks about some possible risks, which include some radiation exposure and incidental findings. She emphasizes shared decision-making with your healthcare team about the benefits, limitations, and potential risks of screening.

Thoracic surgeon Dr. Fatima Wilder discusses the types of questions you may want to ask your doctor about lung cancer screening, including: Why should I get screened? Where can I get a low-dose CT scan? How long will it take to get the results? Will someone explain the results to me in a way that I can understand? What are the next steps for my screening test? Will I need more interventions? What happens if something is found?

Thoracic surgeon Dr. Fatima Wilder provides an overview of how and where to get screened for lung cancer. She recommends working with your primary care provider to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria and the benefits of having a low-dose CT scan. They will refer you to a screening center and will also work with your insurance company to ensure the low-dose CT scan is covered so that you are not left with unnecessary costs.

Dr. Fatima Wilder, a thoracic surgeon and lung cancer expert, explains that most lung cancer screening is covered by health insurance if you have a high risk of lung cancer and meet the criteria for lung cancer screening. If you don't meet the criteria, talk with your primary care physician to see if there are other symptoms, signs, or concerns that may still indicate that screening could be beneficial for you.

Dr. Fatima Wilder, a thoracic surgeon and lung cancer expert, discusses how smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer and talks about ways to get help to quit smoking. Dr. Wilder also discusses the importance of incorporating smoking cessation into lung cancer screening. If you've been trying to quit, or are thinking about quitting, talk with your doctor about proven steps that can help you quit.

Pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist Dr. Annie Rusk discusses why screening for lung cancer is so important for Native Americans and discusses the impact of lung cancer on Native American communities. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Native American people in the United States, and it is also the third most common cancer diagnosis in this community. Native Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer at a later stage when lung cancer can be hard to treat successfully. Dr. Rusk explains that if lung cancer can be found early, even when there are no symptoms, it's more likely to be cured with treatment. Finding lung cancer early can lead to better outcomes.

Dr. Annie Rusk, a physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine, discusses who should have low-dose CT lung cancer screening and how often. She explains that a low-dose CT of the chest is reserved for people who have a high risk of lung cancer, in particular, those with a history of cigarette smoking. She explains that people who get screened with a low-dose CT should do so annually to improve survival through early detection.

Pulmonologist and critical care specialist Dr. Annie Rusk of the Mayo Clinic Arizona provides an overview of what to expect during a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer. She describes the test as being easy, quick, and non-invasive. The test results will be made available to your doctor within a few days. 

Dr. Annie Rusk, a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, discusses the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening. She explains the benefit of a low-dose CT scan is early diagnosis of lung cancer and the identification of nodules or other findings that may lead to lung cancer, which can be treated early and effectively. She emphasizes shared decision-making with your healthcare team and discusses the benefits, limitations, and potential risks of screening.

Pulmonologist Dr. Annie Rusk of the Mayo Clinic Arizona reviews the importance of discussing lung cancer screening with your doctor and the types of questions you may want to ask, including: Why should I get screened when I feel well and don't feel sick? Where can I get the lung cancer screening test (low-dose CT scan)? How long will it take to get the results? Will someone explain the results to me in a way that I can understand? What are the next steps for my screening test? If you are a current smoker, ask your doctor about ways to quit smoking.

Dr. Annie Rusk, a pulmonologist and lung cancer expert at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, explains that most lung cancer screening is covered by health insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, she recommends talking with your local healthcare provider about how you can qualify for lung cancer screening.

Diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer is “tissue based”. This means that typically if a patient has been given a CAT Scan or X-Ray which identifies an abnormality in the lungs, the next step is to do a biopsy which can done in a variety of ways. It can be done by the radiologist at the time of the CAT scan (or CT scan). A piece of the tissue is looked at by a pathologist under the microscope. Another way is using a “bronchoscopy” which involves a tube being placed through the nose or into the mouth and into the airway. The pulmonologist can use this tool to see the cancer and then take a sample of the tissue for biopsy. In some cases, surgeons can be involved in the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer. In these cases its usually when the cancer is located in places like the lymph nodes which are difficult for the pulmonologist or radiologist to reach.

Small cell lung cancer is typically diagnosed by a pulmonologist. The reason is that the cancer is usually centrally located and easily accessed by the pulmonologist using a bronchoscope. A pulmonologist will use a bronchoscope, which is essentially a tube with a light and a camera on the end of it to try to see the cancer. The bronchoscope can be passed through the nose or mouth and be guided into the lung to try to see the cancer and then biopsy it (take a sample of the tissue). Sometimes this is not feasible and then an interventional radiologist needs to be involved in the diagnosis.

Screening for lung cancer means looking for lung cancer using a screening technique in individuals that do not currently have lung cancer, but who may be at risk for lung cancer. In the US, screening is approved for patients older than 55 years of age and also have smoked greater than 30 pack years of cigarettes in their lifetime. “Pack years” is defined by the number of packs smoked X(multiplied by) the number of years smoked. For this group, screening is associated with better outcomes. Other individuals might benefit from screening however this is an area still being studied. The technique used for screening involves the use of CAT scans (with Low Dose radiation). These have a much lower amount of radiation exposure than a typical diagnostic CAT scan (or CT scan).

It’s most important that patients discuss their lung function with their doctor. They need to consider what their lung function is both before surgery and what it might be like after surgery. The decision about surgery can be very much a personal decision. In certain patients, if their lung function is excellent then the standard of care might be surgery and they can discuss this with their physician.

The words “metastatic lung cancer” can mean a lot of different things and it is an important topic to discuss with your doctor as it may relate to your situation. In the past patients with “metastatic lung cancer” were considered untreatable when it came to surgery. Today we have a more hopeful situation. For example, there is a new term that sounds very complex and it is called “Oligometastatic lung cancer”. In these patients surgery can be an option to consider.

Some patients might have what is called “multi-focal lung cancer”. They might have a genetic mutation, for example an EGFR mutation, and they might have 2 different types of lung cancers growing in their body. Decisions about surgery in these patients can be complex.

Bronchoscopic ablation is when you navigate a camera through the airway and then pass a catheter through the center of the instrument to the part of the lung where a tumor might be. The instrument has the ability to apply an energy source to the center of a tumor. The energy source can be freeze therapy or microwave therapy or other types of therapy. This is somewhat still an experimental procedure and being tested in a number of settings.

It’s important to think about a team approach if you have lung cancer. It’s important to realize that your family and friends are part of that team approach, as well as your healthcare professionals. In terms of your healthcare team, it’s important to have what’s called a "multidisciplinary" approach where different doctors and healthcare members bring different types of expertise to help you fight your lung cancer.

Pulmonary lung function testing is one of the essential ways that doctors use to decide if you are a candidate for lung cancer surgery. It’s a breathing test and someone on your healthcare team will coach you on how to do this test. Sometimes patients get nervous about this test. It’s important to do it well and to the best of your ability. Some doctors even suggest a second time for the testing to make very sure that it is as accurate as possible.

Take a small needle and pass it through the CAT scan to watch the needle going in towards the center of the nodule. Once there the healthcare member can take a sample. Sometimes they apply suction to the needle or sometimes they will pass what’s called a “needle core”. The different types of biopsies can help your doctor test for genetic mutations in the tumor and help to guide the type of therapy or treatment. For example, it can show that a patient has small cell lung cancer, which is very rarely treated with surgery. You should discuss the different biopsy techniques with your doctor.

The treatment of any type of lung cancer depends on the stage of the cancer. The stage is based on how far the cancer has spread - whether the lung cancer is local or has spread outside the lungs to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. For non-small cell lung cancer, doctors want to determine the size of the primary cancer and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or spread to the middle part of the chest, or spread outside those areas. Doctors use different diagnostic tests to determine the cancer’s stage. These tests include CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. If undergoing surgery, a procedure called a “mediastinoscopy” can provide additional information on the stage of the lung cancer. Knowing the lung cancer stage helps the doctor to decide what kind of treatment is best and can help predict a patient’s prognosis (outlook).

The stage of a cancer describes the extent of the cancer. It is based on the size and location of the tumor, and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. A stage 1 lung cancer is located only in the lungs and has not spread to any of the lymph nodes. A stage 2 lung cancer is a bit more advanced, where the cancer has spread to the localized lymph nodes. A stage 3 cancer is one where the lymph nodes in the middle part of the chest are also involved (the area called the mediastinum). A stage 4 lung cancer is one that has spread outside the chest, either to the other lung, or to other parts of the body, such as the bone or brain or liver or adrenal glands.

Robert Winn, MD, of the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, explains what biomarkers are, how they were first discovered, and how they can predict cancer risk and help determine treatment. He describes the history of lung cancer treatment and how understanding biomarkers can help doctors prescribe the most effective lung cancer treatment.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, director of cancer surgery from The Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, explains what comprehensive biomarker testing for lung cancer is and what you need to know. She describes how comprehensive biomarker testing looks to identify specific genetic markers, or molecular markers, that may indicate the presence of a specific type of cancer that can be treated. If the genetic markers identified have known treatments available, these can be used to treat your lung cancer in situations where traditional treatments may not work. If you are interested in having comprehensive biomarker testing, Dr. Blackmon recommends you have a conversation with your medical oncologist about this topic since every institution is different, and frequently there are many clinical trials that patients can enroll into that cover the cost of molecular testing.

Dr. Robert Winn, an expert on cancer mutations, describes the ways variations in genes can affect the course of lung cancer. He describes how knowing about specific mutations can mean knowing which medicines to use in treatment. He also discusses the difference between inherited and acquired mutations and how mutations being active may lead to cancer.

Robert Winn, MD, of the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, discusses different ways to take samples for lung cancer biomarker testing, including VATS (video assisted thoracoscopy), bronchoscopy, and blood, urine, or saliva testing. He also discusses the number of different biomarkers a laboratory may look for in the biological samples and shares questions patients should ask before and after biomarker testing, including about insurance coverage, when to expect results, and when to call with questions.

Cancer expert Dr. Robert Winn talks about the importance of discussing biomarker testing as soon as possible, even before getting a definitive diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients should also ask about removing additional tissue or repeating biomarker testing if samples are taken, in order to yield the most accurate results. Dr. Winn encourages patients to take advantage of precision medicine to receive lung cancer treatments tailored to their specific mutations.

Robert Winn, MD, of Virginia Commonwealth University discusses EGFR, KRAS, and ALK, three of the main biomarkers for non-small-cell lung cancers, and the importance of testing for these to deliver precision medicine. He also encourages patients to ask which additional biomarkers will be included in the test panel.

Dr. Robert Winn, cancer expert from the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, discusses the benefits of knowing which biomarkers are present in non-small-cell lung cancer in order to choose a specific treatment. He also explains the promising options available to people whose tumors do not test positive for biomarkers, including immunotherapy and new chemotherapy drugs.

Robert Winn, MD, of Virginia Commonwealth University, explains that even without biomarker testing for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the standard of care can provide effective treatment. However, he advocates for talking with your doctor about biomarker testing before any biopsies or procedures are done to diagnose NSCLC.

Cancer expert Dr. Robert Winn explains the vital importance of patients with suspected non-small-cell lung cancer asking about biomarker testing if it is not offered. Patients have the right to seek a second opinion about their NSCLC diagnosis and request biomarker testing.

Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Cancer Center Dr. Robert Winn explains that biomarker testing is important for all people, but lung cancer is the #1 leading cause of cancer death for African Americans in the United States. African Americans may have EGFR, KRAS, and other biomarkers for non-small-cell lung cancer, but biomarker testing may also identify mutations that lead to lifesaving treatment through precision medicine.

Robert Winn, MD, director of the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, discusses the disparity in care for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer between Black and White Americans and describes various ways to close this and other gaps, including through clinical trial participation, routine biomarker testing, patient education and involvement, and knowledge of the potential of precision medicine for lung cancer treatment.

Surgery for non-small cell lung cancer is quite varied. There is no “one size fits all” because it depends on multiple factors. First of all, it depends on the location of the cancer. Secondly, it depends on the extent of the cancer, for example, to what extent does it involve the lymph nodes and the middle of the chest. Thirdly, it depends on the “cardiopulmonary reserve” of the patient. That includes factors like the amount of normal lung that can be spared from the surgery to ensure that the patient has sufficient lung function after the surgery is completed. The different types of surgery explained in this video are wedge resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy.

The extent of lung cancer surgery depends on multiple factors. First, it depends on the location of the cancer and if it can be removed with a simpler kind of surgery or if it requires a more complicated surgery. Second, it depends on the amount of normal lung that the patient would lose as part of the surgery and their existing lung function. If their lung function is already weak, then it’s possible that the amount of surgery a patient can tolerate will be much less and that will impact the choice of surgical procedure as well. Lung cancer patients may be seen by a lung specialist called a pulmonologist, who can evaluate what their lung capacity is by conducting some tests. Surgery can range from limited surgery called wedge resections (also called a segmentectomy), to bigger surgeries, where a lobe of the lung is removed (called a lobectomy) and in some cases an entire lung needs to be removed (called a pneumonectomy).

Surgery is typically not used in patients who have been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. The reason is that small cell lung cancer tends to spread much quicker into the blood stream than non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is more often a systemic disease and as such the primary treatment is usually chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. There may be situations where surgery was used to remove a large mass in someone who was not yet diagnosed with lung cancer, however it’s rare.

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment for lung cancer that tries to eradicate the cancer cells. There are different types of chemotherapy drugs. They work by affecting the general process in which cells divide (or make copies of themselves during the normal cell growth cycle). Cancer cells tend to grow much faster than normal cells in the body, and this makes them more sensitive to chemotherapy than the other cells in the body. Chemotherapy is used for lung cancer in patients with advanced lung cancer (in cases which cannot be treated by surgery). It is also sometimes used after surgery in cases where there are risk factors of the cancer that increase the likelihood of it coming back again (“adjuvant” setting). Finally, chemotherapy can be used with someone who has locally advanced lung cancer and is given together with radiation to enhance the effect of the radiation. This can be done prior to another round of surgery.

Radiation therapy, unlike chemotherapy, is a focused type of treatment that is used in localized cancers. A radiation beam is directed at a specific area of the lung for example. It’s used as a local therapy when a surgeon cannot remove the cancer in the chest. It is also used in cases where there are no other treatment options, for example if the lung cancer has spread to the brain then chemotherapy has difficulty passing the blood-brain barrier, so radiation therapy will be used. Radiation therapy is also used if the lung cancer has spread to the bone.

Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to target specific features (genes or proteins) of an individual’s cancer. Cancer patients need to have their tumors tested to see if they are candidates for a particular type of “targeted” therapy.

Immune therapy is very different to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Instead of targeting the cancer cell, immune therapy boosts the naturally present immune system in your body to fight the cancer. It’s rapidly becoming our “3rd” treatment approach for lung cancer patients and offers a lot of hope for the future.

Genomic testing for lung cancer is used to understand the unique characteristics (genomic alterations) of the individual patient’s cancer. Doctors look for genomic alterations that impact the growth and development of the person’s cancer, which helps to determine the best treatment options for the individual. The tests can take days or a few weeks to complete.

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate new ways to improve treatments and quality of life for people with diseases, like lung cancer. Clinical trials take place in various phases, each designed to answer important research questions that lead to the next phase. The earliest phase of a clinical trial is called a Phase 1 trial where the treatment is usually being tested in humans for the first time. Other phases of clinical trials are called Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4.

Not all clinical trials are “Placebo-Controlled Trials”. Most of the time placebo controlled trials are quite rare, because in lung cancer trials the patients almost always get the best standard of care available. It’s very rare that a cancer clinical trial patient would get “no active therapy” as a placebo. Patients need to discuss the details of each clinical trial very carefully with their healthcare provider to make sure they understand the potential benefits and risks involved.

Understanding what “Palliative care” means is very important for lung cancer patients. Palliative care are those options available to lung cancer patients that help them get the best quality of life possible. Every person is unique and needs to consider their treatment options carefully. The goal of palliative care is to minimize suffering in a very respectful and meaningful way.

A lot of patients ask their doctors: “Am I a candidate for surgery”?. The answer to this question is complex and may differ depending on the center of care or the healthcare team that is involved. It is important for patients to get a second opinion or even more opinions to reassure them about the first opinion they received on surgery. There are always a lot more options out there and many patients can benefit from a more extensive search for answers.

A lobectomy is performed when surgery is used to take out a part of the lung. A “lobe” is a functional unit of the lung. The lungs typically have 3 lobes in the right lung and 2 lobes in the left lung. Each lobe is also divided into smaller parts called "lung segments". A lobectomy is a type of surgery that is done to remove a specific lobe from one of the lungs. It may be part of a minimally invasive surgery or it may be part of a more extensive type of surgery.

A lung ablation is when a surgeon uses a special technique to apply an energy source to kill the tumor. Different types of energy sources can be used (cryotherapy, or microwave ablation, or radiofrequency ablation) and the amount of energy applied to the tumor is carefully calculated using different software programs. It’s still considered somewhat experimental however it can help certain patients to spare as much lung tissue as possible.

Whether you can have lung ablation after radiation therapy is a difficult question to answer and may require a detailed discussion with your physician.

Percutaneous ablation of the lung is a procedure where the doctor takes a needle and passes it through the chest wall and puts it in the center of the tumor. Doctors will use imaging techniques (such as a CAT scan) to guide the needle to the center of the tumor. Once there, they will apply the energy source (cryotherapy, or microwave ablation, or radiofrequency ablation) to kill the tumor.

A wedge surgery or wedge resection of the lung is the least amount of lung that a doctor will remove when performing surgery for a cancer or a tumor nodule or a benign nodule.

Lung sparing techniques are very important and are becoming more widespread for lung cancer surgery. Lung sparing techniques include a segmentectomy, a bisegmentectomy, and a trisegmentectomy. Instead of removing the entire lobe of a lung, the surgeon will remove just a segment of the lung.

A segmentectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the basic segment unit of the lung. It is a more difficult type of surgery to perform than a “wedge resection”. The goal is to balance the best possible surgery for the patient with maximizing the lung function after the surgery.

An EGFR mutation means an “epidermal growth receptor factor” mutation. Some patients may have this mutation and it means that they might be a candidate for targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is a way to treat the individual cancer patient’s unique genetic identifiers.

Cancer expert Dr. Robert Winn explains that targeted therapy for lung cancer is based on identifying specific mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer that indicate what drug the patient will best respond to. Biomarker testing provides the targets for specific, precision medicine therapies that are more likely than older, non-precision treatments to help patients survive and thrive.

Erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib are commonly used to treat EGFR mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer, according to Robert Winn, MD, director of the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. He also discusses second-line drugs, what happens if patients do not respond to targeted therapies, and how biomarker testing for EGFR and other driver mutations can lead to use of additional targeted therapies for lung cancer.

Robert Winn, MD, director of Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Cancer Center, identifies crizotinib and alectinib as first-line targeted therapies for people with the ALK mutation, as well as second-line therapies ceritinib and brigatinib are additional targeted therapies if the earlier treatments do not work well.

Dr. Robert Winn, cancer expert, describes the potential of crizotinib as a targeted therapy for people with ROS1 mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer, and how the health care team can help reduce and relieve side effects of this and other targeted therapies.

Dr. Robert Winn, an expert on cancer mutations, explains the importance of combination therapies for BRAF mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer. BRAF mutations are targeted with combination, or two-drug, therapy. He explains how using more than one drug can be more effective at treating non-small-cell lung cancer and how this approach applies to other mutations as well.

Robert Winn, MD, describes using molecular targeted therapy plus immunotherapy to treat lung cancer. Dr. Winn also discusses how cancers may adapt to treatment by a single medicine, but combination therapy can be more effective.

Biomarker testing can allow patients to be matched with specific clinical trials through the US National Institutes of Health, says Dr. Robert Winn, an expert on cancer treatment from Virginia Commonwealth University. These precision medicine treatments are not yet widely available, but biomarker testing can help patients identify the trials that may be most helpful for their specific non-small-cell lung cancer.

Dr. Robert Winn, director of Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Cancer Center, discusses the importance of a team approach to removing barriers to clinical trial participation, especially for communities of color. Dr. Winn describes reframing the concept of clinical trials as community-based opportunities for access to care, rather than an "experiment" that exploits people of color.

Dr. Manish Patel, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, explains clinical trials for lung cancer and other diseases. He explains how safeguards are used in lung cancer clinical trials to maintain clinical trial volunteers' safety and privacy while developing new knowledge about lung cancer treatment, screening for lung cancer, and lung cancer diagnosis.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Manish Patel of the University of Minnesota describes how clinical trials for lung cancer are needed to find new lung cancer treatments, safer treatments, and more. He describes how lung cancer clinical trials help develop more effective treatments so doctors can find the best lung cancer treatment for each patient and improve on existing treatments for lung cancer.

Manish Patel, DO, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, explains interventional lung cancer clinical trials, which test new lung cancer treatments ("interventions"). He reviews phase 1 through 4 of clinical trials for lung cancer, from drug safety and effectiveness, to comparing a trial lung cancer treatment versus the current lung cancer standard of care. Dr. Patel also explains what happens after a new treatment developed in a lung cancer clinical trial is FDA approved.

Cancer specialist Dr. Manish Patel of the University of Minnesota explains what a clinical trial treatment protocol for lung cancer is and how researchers use it to regulate the lung cancer treatment trial, including following the trial protocol for the new lung cancer drug, dose, side effects, and more.

Dr. Manish Patel describes who can take part in lung cancer clinical trials. Lung cancer trial volunteers may include people who have completed lung cancer treatment, received standard lung cancer treatments without success, or had some treatments for lung cancer, but not others. Dr. Patel explains what eligibility criteria are and how they relate to the protocol for a lung cancer clinical trial.

Cancer specialist Manish Patel, DO, explains how long clinical trials for lung cancer may last. A lung cancer trial may end for various reasons, including not working for a specific person, problems with safety, or more effective lung cancer treatments being available. Some lung cancer clinical trials last a set amount of time. Dr. Patel discusses what clinical trial monitors, or lung cancer "study monitors," do and how researchers keep lung cancer trials safe and effective.

Manish Patel, DO, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, discusses how lung cancer clinical trial data are analyzed and how the FDA approves treatments for lung cancer. Dr. Patel also explains how the results of early lung cancer studies may lead to approval. He also explains the importance of reviewing lung cancer clinical trials to make sure the trial treatment is better than the standard of care for lung cancer and is safe.

Dr. Manish Patel, lung cancer specialist at the University of Minnesota, discusses asking your doctor about clinical trials for lung cancer. New lung cancer clinical trial treatments may be helpful. Dr. Patel talks about the relationship with your oncologist, the value of a second opinion on lung cancer, and the timing of enrolling in a lung cancer clinical trial.

Manish Patel, DO, of the University of Minnesota, describes ethical clinical trial safeguards for lung cancer clinical trials. Dr. Patel explains how effective lung cancer treatment is provided to all clinical trial volunteers.

Diversity in lung cancer clinical trials is explained by Manish Patel, DO, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Diversity in testing lung cancer treatments helps treatments for lung cancer be relevant to diverse racial, ethnic, social, and economic groups.

Janine Harewood, MD, a lung cancer specialist practicing in Fort Myers, Florida, discusses the prevalence of lung cancer among Black Americans and lung cancer death in Black people. She also discusses racial disparities in lung cancer and how cigarette smoking and radiation exposure affect Black people and lung cancer.

Dr. Janine Harewood, a medical oncologist based in Fort Myers, Florida, discusses how lung cancer can be a "silent disease" in Black Americans and why Black people are often diagnosed later with lung cancer. She discusses Black-White disparities in lung cancer screening, health insurance and Black Americans, and other social and economic factors in lung cancer among Black people.

Black representation in clinical trials benefits all Black Americans, says Dr. Janine Harewood, a medical oncologist in Fort Myers, Florida. Clinical trial benefits for Black people include frequent lung cancer checkups, the chance to make a difference to Black Americans with lung cancer, and more. Lung cancer trial placebos are no longer a risk for Black Americans. Dr. Harewood recommends asking about all lung cancer treatment options, including clinical trials for lung cancer in Black Americans.

Janine Harewood, MD, discusses Black Americans' medical distrust as a barrier to lung cancer clinical trial participation. Many Black Americans are less likely to participate in clinical trials for lung cancer due to social and economic factors that affect Black healthcare, such as low access and a lack of lung cancer treatment options and low Black American awareness of lung cancer clinical trials.

Cancer specialist Janine Harewood, MD, from Fort Myers, Florida, describes factors affecting health equity in lung cancer care, such as insurance, access to screening tests for lung cancer, transportation, and the ability to get to treatment for lung cancer care. Black Americans may be more affected by these barriers to lung cancer care than other Americans.

Janine Harewood, MD, a medical oncologist from Fort Myers, Florida, describes events in Black American history leading to low clinical trial participation in Black communities. Events in Black history such as the Tuskegee study have led to clinical trial regulation for safety and privacy of clinical trial volunteers.

Cancer specialist Janine Harewood, MD, explains that Black Americans are inadequately represented in lung cancer clinical trials and other cancer clinical trials. Black Americans' treatment outcomes, side effects, and risk may be different from Whites or other groups. Black people are needed to help doctors develop the best therapies for Black Americans' genetic makeup.

Dr. Janine Harewood, a lung cancer specialist from Fort Myers, Florida, explains why current lung cancer screening guidelines do not work well for Black Americans. She discusses smoke exposure and lung cancer in Black Americans, Black people and lung cancer screening, and how healthcare disparities affect Blacks.

Learn about lung cancer in Native American communities – a common cause of death from cancer – and the connection to commercial tobacco use (smoking) in Native communities. Lacey Running Hawk, MD, a family physician, discusses later lung cancer diagnosis, lung cancer screening for Native people, and barriers to lung cancer screening in Native communities.

Dr. Lacey Running Hawk, a family physician from the Standing Rock Lakota people, discusses why Native Americans are not well-represented in lung cancer clinical trials. She describes Native people used as medical test subjects, reform of clinical trials, informed consent and access for Native people, and tailoring lung cancer treatments to the Native community.

Join Lacey Running Hawk, MD, a family physician from the Lakota people, for a discussion of how traditions and beliefs play a part in healthcare for many Native Americans. Dr. Running Hawk discusses the importance of asking Native people if they take part in traditional ceremonies or work with traditional healers. She emphasizes the varying degrees of cultural connection with tradition in the Native community and discusses whether traditional Native beliefs are a barrier to clinical trial participation.

In this video, Dr. Lacey Running Hawk talks about Native ceremonies, herbs, and medicines used by clinical trial participants. She discusses respect for traditional Native treatments and interactions of traditional medicines and clinical trial treatments. Dr. Running Hawk emphasizes the importance of researchers asking about traditional Native beliefs and clinical trial risks and benefits.

Lacey Running Hawk, MD, a family physician from the Lakota people at Standing Rock, discusses the importance of Native American representation in research, especially in lung cancer clinical trials. She discusses how trials of lung cancer treatments, screening, and diagnosis in Native people can help the Native community's health now and for future generations.

Melissa Buffalo, Chief Executive Officer of the American Indian Cancer Foundation, discusses the importance of American Indian representation and participation in lung cancer clinical trials. She discusses how lack of participation can be a factor that limits access to potentially beneficial treatments, but that it is also important for trust to be built with the community to encourage wanting to be part of a clinical trial.

Medical oncologist Dr. Naomi Fujioka of the University of Minnesota discusses gene mutations and their importance in lung cancer. She explains that understanding the genetic mutations that cause lung cancer is very important because it helps determine how best to treat lung cancer.

Medical oncologist Dr. Joseph Leach of Allina Health Cancer Institute provides an overview of how doctors test for genetic mutations in lung cancer by testing a sample of tumor tissue or blood. Knowing whether you have a particular mutation helps your doctor determine which treatment might work best for your lung cancer. More and more, there are specific treatments for specific mutations.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, director of cancer surgery from The Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, explains what comprehensive biomarker testing for lung cancer is and what you need to know. She describes how comprehensive biomarker testing looks to identify specific genetic markers, or molecular markers, that may indicate the presence of a specific type of cancer that can be treated. If the genetic markers identified have known treatments available, these can be used to treat your lung cancer in situations where traditional treatments may not work. If you are interested in having comprehensive biomarker testing, Dr. Blackmon recommends you have a conversation with your medical oncologist about this topic since every institution is different, and frequently there are many clinical trials that patients can enroll into that cover the cost of molecular testing.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Naomi Fujioka of the University of Minnesota provides an introduction to EGFR mutations in lung cancer. EGFR mutations are one of the most common mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). She also talks about different types of EGFR mutations, including EGFR exon 19 and EGFR exon 21.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Joseph Leach provides an overview of how lung cancers with EGFR mutations are treated. The good news is that specific treatments can target EGFR mutations. Dr. Leach talks about targeted therapies including osimertinib (for exon 19 and exon 21 mutations), amivantamab (for an exon 20 insertion mutation), and others. He also discusses chemotherapy. Cancer cells with EGFR mutations can become resistant to treatment, so it is important to repeat biomarker testing if treatment stops working at any time. A different drug can make treatment more effective again.

Medical oncologist and lung cancer expert Dr. Joseph Leach shares an overview of KRAS mutations in lung cancer. Nearly one-third of people with non-small cell lung cancer have a KRAS mutation. He also talks about different types of KRAS mutations, including KRAS G12C which is the most common type and has specific treatments available to target it.

Medical oncologist and lung cancer expert Dr. Naomi Fujioka provides an overview of how lung cancers with KRAS mutations are treated. She discusses the use of KRAS inhibitors sotorasib and adagrasib that target the KRAS G12C mutation. She also discusses ongoing clinical trials researching how to combine KRAS inhibitors with other treatments, using KRAS inhibitors earlier in lung cancer treatment, and research on therapies targeting KRAS G12D.

Medical oncologist Dr. Naomi Fujioka of the University of Minnesota discusses ALK rearrangements which are a type of gene mutation that can occur in non-small cell lung cancer. Knowing whether your lung cancer is ALK-positive can help your doctor determine which treatments will work best for you.

Medical oncologist Dr. Joseph Leach provides an overview of how doctors treat ALK-rearranged lung cancer. He discusses targeted therapies for ALK mutations including alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, which are effective in controlling cancer. He explains that cancer cells can become resistant to targeted therapies, so it is important to repeat biomarker testing if treatment stops working at any time and to also consider participating in clinical trials.

Medical oncologist and lung cancer expert Dr. Joseph Leach shares an overview of BRAF mutations in lung cancer. He also talks about the two versions of the BRAF mutation, V600E and non-V600E. Knowing whether you have a particular mutation helps your doctor figure out which treatment might work best for your lung cancer.

Medical oncologist Dr. Naomi Fujioka shares an overview of how doctors treat BRAF-mutated lung cancer. She discusses targeted therapies for V600E mutated lung cancers, including the combination of trametinib and dabrafenib, and the combination of binimetinib and encorafenib. Immunotherapy can also be a good choice for people with BRAF non-V600E mutations. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for your specific lung cancer and consider participating in clinical trials.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Naomi Fujioka of the University of Minnesota provides an introduction to ROS1 mutations in lung cancer. It affects about 1 or 2 percent of people with non-small cell lung cancer. Though rare, it is essential to test for it because there are specific treatments available to target it.

Medical oncologist Dr. Joseph Leach of Allina Health Cancer Institute provides an overview of how doctors treat lung cancer with ROS1 mutations. He discusses targeted therapies including crizotinib, entrectinib, repotrectinib, lorlatinib, and other drugs. He also discusses clinical trials for ROS1-mutated lung cancer.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Joseph Leach provides an overview of HER2 mutations in lung cancer. It affects about 2 percent of people with non-small cell lung cancer.  Though rare, it is essential to test for it because there are specific treatments available to target HER2-mutated lung cancer.

Medical oncologist Dr. Naomi Fujioka of the University of Minnesota provides an overview of how doctors treat HER2-mutated lung cancer. She discusses trastuzumab deruxtecan, which is an antibody-drug conjugate, and discusses some of the side effects of treatment. She also talks about clinical trials to develop new treatments for HER2-mutated lung cancer.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Naomi Fujioka of the University of Minnesota provides an introduction to MET mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which affects about 1 to 3 percent of people with lung cancer. She also talks about different types of MET mutations, including MET exon 14 skipping, amplifications, and others.

Medical oncologist Dr. Joseph Leach shares an overview of how doctors treat lung cancers with MET mutations. He discusses targeted therapies capmatinib and tepotinib used to treat the MET exon 14 skipping mutation. Cancer can become resistant to targeted therapy treatments, so it is important to talk with your doctor about all your treatment options including participating in clinical trials.

Medical oncologists and lung cancer experts Dr. Joseph Leach and Dr. Naomi Fujioka provide an overview of immunotherapy and how it works for treating lung cancer. They also talk about immune checkpoints PD-L1 and CTLA-4. Currently, doctors test for the presence of PD-L1 in all lung cancers and this information is very important for treatment decisions.

Medical oncologist Dr. Naomi Fujioka of the University of Minnesota discusses immunotherapy treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immunotherapies are used at different stages of NSCLC. They may be part of your first treatment, used later, or used for advanced cancer that has spread. She talks about a class of drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors that target either PD-L1 or PD-1. You may have an immunotherapy drug alone, in combination with chemotherapy, or combined with different immunotherapies such as CTLA-4 inhibitors.

Lung cancer expert Dr. Joseph Leach of Allina Health Cancer Institute shares an overview of the side effects that may be associated with immunotherapy for lung cancer. He explains that some people experience very few side effects, while others have more serious complications and discusses some examples. It is important to let your doctor know right away about any side effects you experience. Your doctor can help you get them under control quickly.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, professor of thoracic surgery at The Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, discusses what prehabilitation for lung cancer surgery is and why it is important. She describes prehabilitation as taking all the necessary steps before surgery to get your lungs into the healthiest shape possible in order to achieve the best outcome from your surgery. This involves taking several weeks before your surgery to stop smoking to help your lungs heal, and learning to do different types of breathing, physical, and mental exercises that will assist you with getting through surgery and afterwards during your recovery.

Thoracic surgeon, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, talks about what drug treatments are typically used before lung cancer surgery. She explains that if you have lung cancer, the stage of your lung cancer first needs to be determined. Traditionally, if you are a candidate for treatment before surgery, you would receive either chemotherapy or chemo-radiation to try to shrink your cancer. Due to recent, pivotal research, Dr. Blackmon further explains that you may now also receive an immunotherapy drug before having surgery, as it has been shown to be more beneficial than just receiving chemotherapy alone. This change in understanding has altered the landscape of how patients now receive treatment before having their lung cancer surgery.

Lung cancer surgery specialist, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, addresses what questions you should ask your doctor about improving lung cancer surgery outcomes. Examples of important questions and considerations she mentions include: stopping smoking; staying physically active as much as possible; focusing on the right nutrition; communicating with family and friends about your wishes for various "what if" scenarios; designating a sole person to communicate on your behalf between your family and your care team; maintaining a hopeful and positive attitude; and staying mentally fit by building a strong support network of peers and family who can relate to your experiences.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, professor of thoracic surgery at The Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, discusses how lung cancer surgery will affect your breathing. Although lung cancer surgery can affect your breathing differently depending on your general health and age, Dr. Blackmon describes 3 general factors that should be considered to determine how you will do after your surgery: the initial health of your lungs; how much lung is available to start with; and how much lung needs to be removed. She explains in further detail how this can be calculated to give you the most information about the potential benefits and risks, so that you can make the best decision for yourself. With so much to consider, she recommends that you need to have conversations with your entire multidisciplinary lung cancer team before choosing to proceed with surgery as your option.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon, director of The Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, discusses who can help with your recovery after lung cancer surgery. She says that one of the best ways you can recover involves finding somebody who can encourage you to stay physically active throughout your recovery. Friends and family will be needed to hold you accountable for your healing and they can play a supporting role during your recovery. Dr. Blackmon says it is important for you to have this support network established before your surgery to ensure your recovery process is as smooth as possible. Lastly, she shares several other important tips you can do before your surgery, in preparation for when you start your recovery at home, to ensure that you will achieve the best outcome.

Physical therapist Austin Moore and corrective exercise specialist Ryan Maxwell, discuss why physical activity is an important part of prehabilitation for lung cancer surgery. They share several reasons how prehabilitation can be advantageous in preparation for – and after – your lung cancer surgery.

Austin Moore, a licensed physical therapist, provides an overview of the 4 key pillars to creating a prehabilitation fitness plan: Exercise, nutrition, psychological and mental support, and smoking cessation. He describes the importance of each of these in detail and the positive impact they can have on your surgical and health outcomes. Ryan Maxwell, a corrective exercise specialist and personal trainer, further expands on the advantages of these pillars, which position you to be in the best mental and physical state for the greatest chance of recovery after surgery.

Ryan Maxwell, a certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist, discusses who will monitor a lung cancer patient's prehabilitation fitness program. He explains that your care team will first evaluate if you are medically cleared to take on new fitness activities prior to your lung cancer surgery. If so, Ryan describes how members of your care team will collaborate to build a fitness plan that adapts to your ongoing needs to ensure optimum health outcomes.

Melissa Buffalo, Chief Executive Officer of the American Indian Cancer Foundation, discusses the importance of following the advice of healthcare providers when preparing for lung cancer surgery. She describes some of the key factors and considerations that can make a big difference in making your body stronger before having lung cancer surgery.

Melissa Buffalo, Chief Executive Officer of the American Indian Cancer Foundation, discusses the benefits and importance of quitting smoking before lung cancer surgery to lower the risk of complications. She also talks about resources to help American Indians quit smoking, namely resources on americanindiancancer.org, and the SmokefreeNATIVE initiative, which empowers Native communities to quit commercial tobacco through culturally tailored texting interventions.

Susan O'Conner-Von, a professor of nursing at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, talks about what a prehabilitation plan for lung cancer surgery involves. She explains that a prehabilitation plan is a set of actions you and your healthcare team will develop together, with the goal of optimizing your physical and mental health in preparation leading up to your lung cancer surgery, as well as for afterwards during your recovery at home. These actions can include proper nutrition, physical exercises that improve lung health, stopping smoking, strengthening mental well-being, and other practices that improve your overall health. Susan says to ask your doctors or nurses about whether they have a formal prehabilitation program, and if not, to develop a program with them that will optimize your health before your lung cancer surgery.

Professor of nursing, Susan O'Conner-Von, from the University of Minnesota, discusses when you should start a prehabilitation plan for lung cancer surgery. She explains that the best time to start prehabilitation is as soon as you know you need surgery and recommends finding out if your healthcare team offers a prehabilitation program, or if they will create an individualized plan for you. Starting immediately is very important, to give you enough time to improve your physical and mental health before surgery. Doing so will also give you enough time in advance to prepare your needs and support networks for when you return home to recover after your surgery.

Susan O'Conner-Von, a professor of nursing at the University of Minnesota, describes how you can get help to quit smoking in preparation for your lung cancer surgery. Stopping smoking can be very challenging, but for lung cancer patients it is especially important because the sooner you quit, the sooner your lungs will start to recover in time for your surgery. Susan recommends focusing on the positive benefits of quitting smoking, which include: improving the health of your lungs and body, feeling well enough to exercise, sparing those around you from secondhand smoke, and saving money. Speak with your healthcare provider about what types of products or programs may be suitable to help you quit smoking as soon as possible.

Nursing professor Susan O'Conner-Von explains what nutrition plan you should follow in preparation for your lung cancer surgery. Good nutrition is extremely important for your body to be as healthy as possible before having surgery. Susan discusses the importance of looking into healthy ways of eating and to seek the advice of a dietician or nutritionist. She highly recommends getting sources of healthy protein into your diet that will assist with repairing your body's tissues while also boosting your immune system. She also says that drinking adequate amounts of water daily will really help your body recover from surgery. Practicing these nutritional recommendations will help you get through your lung cancer surgery while also helping with your recovery at home.

Austin Moore, a physical therapist, and Ryan Maxwell, a corrective exercise specialist and personal trainer, talk about what exercise plan you should follow in preparation for lung cancer surgery. Austin describes how a plan can be scheduled and structured to comprise a variety of beneficial activities that range from low intensity (such as gardening, walking, or climbing stairs), to high intensity (such as aerobic and strength training). Ryan further explains how strength building and resistance training exercises (such as push-ups, lunges, and lifting objects) will also help prepare your body to efficiently handle daily life activities and improve your quality of life.

Certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist Ryan Maxwell discusses what your prehabilitation nutrition plan should consist of. He explains how the nutritional needs of your body increase when undergoing surgery and that consuming foods that are rich in protein and micronutrients will help you to meet this demand and support recovery. Ryan also shares good nutritional practices and tips like: Thinking ahead for the week about what foods to prepare that contain ample protein to meet your needs, consuming adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables for nutritional balance, and having your nutrition consistently monitored to make sure that it aligns with your fitness plan.

Professor of nursing, Susan O'Conner-Von, from the University of Minnesota discusses how you can mentally prepare for your lung cancer surgery. With any type of surgery, thoughts of anxiety and having questions are very common. With so much to consider in preparation for and after your lung cancer surgery, Susan has several recommendations to support your mental health and well-being, including: getting answers for anything that may be a source of anxiety for you, having a support group of peers who also share similar experiences with lung cancer, finding spiritual support if you belong to a faith community, leisure activities that lend themselves to the positive rather than negative, yoga, and mindfulness exercises. These options will hopefully help your mental health when preparing for your lung cancer surgery and during your recovery.