Lung Cancer Info

For the Newly-Diagnosed

When you learned that you or your loved one has lung cancer, you likely had a lot of questions. Many organizations stand ready to help you with information about the disease, locating clinical trials, emotional support for yourself and your loved ones, financial assistance, and ways to fund lung cancer research and take action to get involved in the fight against the disease. These organizations have come together to form the Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN®) to provide you with their resources in a single place. (Click here for a complete list of LungCAN member organizations, the services they provide and links to their websites.)


Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies in which patients volunteer to help doctors find ways to improve cancer treatment and care. All new cancer therapies are developed using clinical trials, and many of the current therapies used today are the result of clinical trials and the patients who participated in the past.

Many different clinical trials are underway around our country, each one aiming to answer scientific questions and find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer. Participating in clinical trials enables patients to gain access to the newest cancer therapies and receive high quality care. In addition, participants in lung cancer clinical trials take an active part in the research process, helping doctors study methods of preventing lung cancer, identify ways to screen for it and search for better ways to treat it. Clinical trials already have led to advances that have helped people live longer lives.

If your doctor doesn’t speak with you about a clinical trial, you should feel free to ask about the possibility. Because of the large variety of clinical trials that are available, a single doctor may not be familiar with any given trial.

Clinical trials are not for everyone, though. It is important to understand both the benefits and risks of participating in a particular trial by speaking with people knowledgeable about the trial, your doctor and healthcare team.

LungCAN has joined forces with EmergingMed to help lung cancer patients identify potential clinical trials. To find lung cancer clinical trials that may be a match for you, call toll free: 800-698-0931 to talk to a professional. Clinical trials may also be browsed online at: www.emergingmed.com.


Research

Every advance in cancer care, from early detection to new drugs, begins with research. Researchers test new ideas in their labs, and the most promising ideas are brought to clinical trials. This pipeline of research fuels new methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. It is imperative that we continue to support the early research that will lead to improvements in care for lung cancer patients and help save lives.

Click here for general information on lung cancer research.

Click here to learn about the latest findings in lung cancer research.


Comprehensive Biomarker Testing

Click here to learn more about Comprehensive Biomarker Testing


LungCAN Patient’s Bill of Rights

  1. I have the right to receive a comprehensive cancer treatment plan, including:
    • Treatments for my cancer, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgical and/or radiation treatments, as appropriate for me.
    • Therapies to help keep me comfortable before, during and after my cancer treatment
    • Pain control.
    • Psychosocial care for myself and my loved ones.
    • Survivorship care planning.
  2. I have the right to comprehensive biomarker testing of my tumor tissue, if appropriate for me, to ensure I have the right care for my particular tumor.
  3. I have the right to be informed about any clinical trials that may be appropriate for me.
  4. I have the right to a second opinion if I feel it would enhance my care.
  5. I have the right to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of my smoking history.