Wellness Watch – Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer, behind only prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women.  However, more people die from lung cancer than any other form of cancer, by far.  Lung cancer kills almost three times as many men as prostate cancer and almost three times as many women as breast cancer.

Estimated Cancer Deaths, 2025 (Source: National Institutes of Health)

  • Lung and bronchus: 124,730 (20%)
  • Colon and rectum: 52,900 (9%)
  • Pancreas: 51,980 (8%)
  • Breast: 42,680 (7%)
  • Other: 345,830 (56%)
WellnessWatch LungCancer Graph

Innovative Care at Phoebe

Phoebe does more than any other health system in our region to prevent, detect and treat lung cancer effectively.

  • Screenings for Those at High Risk – Our LungWatch program provides annual CT scans to current and former smokers to catch lung cancer early when it’s most treatable. Click here to learn more.
  • Proactive Detection – Through our Lung Nodule Clinic, we analyze every CT scan taken at any Phoebe facility for lung abnormalities. If anything suspicious is found, patients are notified and scheduled for follow-up care.
  • Advanced Treatments – Ion bronchoscopy is just one advanced tool that Phoebe brought to southwest Georgia. It’s a minimally invasive robotic procedure that allows us to biopsy tiny and hard-to-reach nodules to catch cancer early.
  • Multi-Disciplinary Approach – Patients diagnosed with lung cancer work with a lung navigator to guide them through each step of their care plan, and our large team of specialized experts collaborate to ensure each patient gets the best, personalized care.

To learn more about lung cancer care at Phoebe and to find out why lung cancer deaths are decreasing, watch this conversation with Phoebe Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Malcolm Jefferson.

Lung Cancer By the Numbers

  • 226,650 estimated new cases in 2025
  • 124,730 estimated deaths in 2025
  • 5-year survival rate of 28.1%
  • Men make up nearly 54% of lung cancer cases
  • Smoking is responsible for 80% of lung cancer deaths

 Lung Cancer Symptoms

Blood when you cough or spit

Recurring respiratory infections

Enduring cough that is new or different

Ache or pain in shoulder, back or chest

Trouble breathing

Hoarseness or wheezing

Exhaustion, weakness or loss of appetite

Click here to learn more about lung cancer treatment options at Phoebe and to meet our team of experts who care for lung cancer patients.