Why early detection for lung cancer matters now more than ever
By Dr. Dominic deKeratry
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time when many pause to think about the people we’ve known who’ve been affected by the disease. Lung cancer often flies under the radar, yet it remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Though many people still assume it’s only a smoker’s disease or believe the symptoms will be obvious, the truth is more complicated and far more urgent.
The current state of lung cancer
In 2025 alone, experts estimate 226,650 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer. And for women, the impact is especially alarming: lung cancer kills almost three times as many women as breast cancer.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that lung cancer only affects smokers. That’s simply not the case. Research shows a growing number of diagnoses among people who have never smoked, many of them younger women. Nearly one in five new cases in the U.S. now occurs in non-smokers.
So, what’s driving this shift? A mix of genetics, secondhand smoke, air pollution and environmental exposures — factors most of us don’t control directly.
Unfortunately, stigma still surrounds lung cancer, and it can keep people from seeking help early. A persistent cough, fatigue or shortness of breath can get brushed off as allergies or a lingering cold. By the time many patients make it to the doctor, the disease has already progressed.
However, early detection changes everything. Advances in imaging and treatment mean lung cancer found early is far more treatable than it was even a decade ago, with survival rates improving dramatically when the disease is caught before it spreads.
Screening and guidelines update
If you’ve heard about lung cancer screening and wondered whether you or a loved one should get checked, here’s what you need to know. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has expanded its recommendations to include adults ages 50–80 with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history (one pack-year is smoking an average of one pack per day for a year) who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
The screening test, a low-dose CT scan, takes only a few minutes. It uses a minimal amount of radiation (less than 20% of the radiation of a standard CT scan) and can spot tiny changes in the lungs long before symptoms show up. For people at high risk, getting screened every year is essential. The low-dose CT scan screening process has resulted in improved lung cancer survival. Skipping screenings or waiting until you “feel something” reduces the chance of finding cancer early.
Additional emerging technologies for lung cancer screening include AI-enhanced imaging as well as “liquid biopsy tests” (blood tests detecting circulating tumor DNA or other biomarkers). Many other tests are in development, including breath analyzers for volatile organic compounds and sputum tests for certain proteins.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, your primary care doctor or your pulmonologist can walk you through your risk factors and help determine the best next step.
Steps for prevention
Even though lung cancer can affect anyone, quitting smoking remains the most powerful way to lower your risk. If you’re considering quitting — or thinking about helping someone else quit — you should know this: your lungs start recovering almost immediately. It’s never too late.
Prevention also matters for non-smokers. A few practical steps can make a real difference:
• Limit exposure to air pollution and workplace chemicals whenever you can.
• Avoid second-hand smoke.
• Keep your home well ventilated to improve indoor air quality.
• Consider radon testing for your home.
• Wear a mask on high-pollution or poor air-quality days, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Stay on top of routine care with annual checkups to support long-term health.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit processed foods and alcohol to reduce inflammation.
• Move your body regularly. Exercise helps strengthen lungs, improve airflow and boost your immune system.
You don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle overnight. Small, consistent habits go a long way in protecting your lungs.
The best step is the first one
Lung cancer doesn’t have to remain the deadliest cancer in America. Awareness, early screenings and better conversations about risk can save lives.
This month, and every month, take a moment to check in with yourself and the people you care about. Do you know your risk level? Are you up to date on screenings? Have you talked with your primary care doctor about prevention?
For reliable information and support, organizations like the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society and local partners, including St. David’s Healthcare, offer excellent resources.
Dr. deKeratry, is a board-certified Pulmonologist and Critical Care physician with Georgetown Pulmonary Associates and St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. He specializes in interventional pulmonology and advanced airway and pleural procedures, bringing experience from his service as a U.S. Navy physician and his fellowship training at Scott & White and Texas A&M. He also serves as an assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Medicine in Round Rock.