Yale Cancer Center Experts Available for Lung Cancer Awareness Month

In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a team of physicians from the Yale-New Haven Thoracic Oncology Program of Yale Cancer Center is available for interviews on the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options available for lung cancer, and clinical trials available for lung cancer patients.

Governor M. Jodi Rell has officially declared November Lung Cancer Awareness month stating, “I urge all our citizens to do all we can to increase awareness of lung cancer issues and offer compassion to people with lung cancer.”

Lung Cancer Facts:

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanic males.
• Lung cancer will kill nearly twice as many women this year as breast cancer.
• Lung cancer causes over 30 percent of all cancer deaths.
• Current smokers: 35-40 percent of new lung cancer cases; Former smokers: 50 percent of new lung cancer cases; Never smoked: 10-15 percent of new lung cancer cases.

The Yale-New Haven Thoracic Oncology Program (TOP) is an organized, programmatic approach designed to provide optimum treatment and best possible outcomes for patients with thoracic malignancies. A multidisciplinary program, TOP offers efficient, patient-oriented service with convenient comprehensive care in a single location. Yale-New Haven TOP is a state and regional referral center – a cooperative venture of Yale Cancer Center, Yale Medical Group and Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Yale Cancer Center Physicians available for interview:

• Dr. Frank Detterbeck, Professor of Thoracic Surgery, Surgical Director of TOP, and Associate Director of Clinical Affairs, Yale Cancer Center.
• Dr. Lynn Tanoue, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Medical Director of TOP.
• Dr. John Murren, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology.
• Dr. Lynn Wilson, Associate Professor of Therapeutic Radiology.
• Dr. Scott Gettinger, Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology.