Summary
Dr. Suresh Ramalingam, a top cancer expert at Emory University, urges community oncologists to prioritize biomarker testing and lung cancer screening to ensure every patient benefits from the latest treatment breakthroughs — because advances only matter if all patients can access them.
Dr. Suresh Ramalingam leads the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. TIME recently named him to its TIME100 Health 2025 list. He is now calling on doctors across the country to bring the latest lung cancer treatments to every patient.
Over the past five to ten years, major breakthroughs have changed how doctors treat lung cancer. New therapies like targeted treatments and immunotherapy help patients live longer with a better quality of life. But a big problem remains. Many patients never hear about these newer options.
Community oncologists — doctors who treat cancer in smaller cities and towns — face a unique challenge. They manage many different cancer types, not just lung cancer. The pace of new research makes it hard for them to stay current. As a result, some patients miss out on treatments that could help them.
Dr. Ramalingam highlights two key actions to fix this gap. First, every lung cancer patient should receive biomarker testing. This lab test identifies specific genetic changes in a patient’s tumor. Doctors then use the results to choose the most effective personalized treatment. This applies whether the cancer is early stage or advanced.
Second, more patients need access to lung cancer screening. Low-dose CT scans catch lung cancer early, when doctors can treat it most effectively. Early detection raises the five-year survival rate to 64%. Dr. Ramalingam encourages oncologists to share this message with primary care doctors. These physicians are often the first to see patients who qualify for screening.
