Newswise — According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), more than 6,200 new cases of lung cancer are expected to be diagnosed in New Jersey this year, along with over 4,300 deaths. Nationally, more than 161,000 deaths are expected, which accounts for nearly a third of all cancer deaths. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is making experts available to discuss the risks and treatment and prevention options surrounding the disease during this National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
ACS notes lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, killing more people than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. While 87 percent of lung cancer deaths are believed to be as a result of smoking, according to the National Cancer Institute, statistics show there are still between 5,000 and 10,000 cases of lung cancer each year in the United States among those who never before smoked " most being women.
Symptoms include persistent smoker's cough, change in color or blood in phlegm, wheezing and recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis. Unexplained weight loss, bone pain, aching joints and feeling tired also can be symptoms of the disease.
CINJ experts available for comment include:
Joseph Aisner, MD, is the chief medical officer at CINJ and professor of medicine and environmental and occupational medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Aisner specializes in lung cancer and is the director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at CINJ, which is a multidisciplinary program, which focuses on lung cancer. The program features a healthcare team comprised of surgeons, radiation oncologists, nurses, social workers and others. He can discuss the importance of a team approach in treating lung cancer.
Salma Jabbour, MD, is a radiation oncologist at CINJ and an assistant professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Jabbour is a member of the Thoracic Oncology Program at CINJ and can discuss the benefits of and advances in combined treatments in lung malignancies. Her research interests include identifying genetic markers of recurrence in lung cancer as well as combining antibodies with current standards of lung cancer treatment to stimulate immune response in the body.
Biren Saraiya, MD, is a medical oncologist at CINJ and an assistant professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Saraiya, whose specialty lies in the area of lung cancer, is currently building CINJ's Palliative Care Program and can discuss palliative care needs as they relate to lung cancer. He also is building a clinical practice in genitourinary and lung cancers and is a member of CINJ's Thoracic Oncology Program.
Peggy Joyce, PhD(c), RN, AOCN, is an advanced practice nurse at CINJ, who was a long-time member of the Thoracic Oncology Program. She currently is researching the effects of shortness of breath in those with lung cancer.
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