Guests/Speakers
David Sturges, Lung Cancer Survivor & LCFA Co-founder
Dr. Denise Aberle, Thoracic Radiologist, UCLA Medical Center
Kellie Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University & LCFA Young Investigator
Why Early Detection Is a Game-Changer in Lung Cancer
Early detection of lung cancer transforms everything—offering patients more treatment options, extended survival rates, and in many cases, a real chance at beating this devastating disease. Yet lung cancer is often detected too late, when symptoms finally appear and treatment options become limited. That’s why lung cancer screening saves lives, and why raising awareness about early detection has never been more critical.
The Life-Saving Power of Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis
In this re-released episode of Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer, originally aired in 2020, LCFA Co-founder and two-time lung cancer survivor David Sturges shares how early testing gave him a fighting chance. Diagnosed before symptoms appeared, David’s story is a powerful reminder of how screening can change—and save—lives.
“I was profoundly lucky because my diagnosis was by luck. I was being seen for a routine cardiac review and they suggested I have a high-speed cat scan,” shares David Sturges. “I wasn’t the typical camel straight smoker who was wheezing and surprise surprise. It was something that I never would have thought would happen to me.”
Joining the conversation is Dr. Denise Aberle, a thoracic radiologist at UCLA Medical Center and a national leader in lung cancer screening. Dr. Aberle explains how low-dose CT scans are helping catch lung cancer in its most treatable stages, well before patients even know something is wrong.
“So lung cancer is really a continuum. I tend to work on the early side, meaning the early detection of lung cancer,” explains Dr. Aberle. “In the early stages of lung cancer, probably the major benefit that we’ve seen over the last couple of decades is the fact that we now have a screening test for early lung cancer detection… that means that we have the potential to identify a cancer before someone becomes symptomatic and to cure with treated with intent to cure.”
How Screening Improves Treatment and Prevents Recurrence
The episode also features LCFA Early Career Researcher Dr. Kellie Smith, Assistant Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Smith shares promising new research focused on post-surgical treatments designed to reduce recurrence. Her work highlights how early diagnosis not only improves immediate outcomes but also opens the door to emerging therapies that could extend life and increase cure rates.
“For the first time we were able to identify anti-tumor responses in patients with early stage disease… it had never been done before, no one had ever identified in the peripheral blood of patients at such an early stage of disease.”
The Benefits of Early Lung Cancer Detection
When lung cancer is caught early, the advantages are remarkable:
- Dramatically improved survival rates: Early-stage detection can boost 5-year survival rates from 18% to 64%
- More treatment options: Surgery, targeted therapies, and combination treatments are most effective in early stages
- Better quality of life: Less invasive treatments mean faster recovery and fewer side effects
- Reduced healthcare costs: Early intervention prevents the need for extensive treatments required at advanced stages
Join LCFA in Promoting Early Detection Awareness
By sharing real stories like David Sturges’ and insights from leading researchers like Dr. Aberle and Dr. Smith, LCFA is committed to improving outcomes through education and advocacy. This episode is a call to action: don’t wait for symptoms. Learn the guidelines, talk to your doctor, and get screened.
Because when it comes to lung cancer, early detection is one of our most powerful tools. Listen now to hear how screening made all the difference—and how it could for you, too.
