HUMC THORACIC SURGERY TEAM PARTICIPATES IN FIGHT FOR AIR CLIMB

Lung cancer is immediately linked to cigarette smoking. And while this habit greatly increases the risk for developing a lung cancer, the adverse effects of smoking were not so seriously considered in the past generations as they are now.

Baby Boomers who now lead healthy lives are finding themselves diagnosed with lung cancer, often too late to be cured as symptoms do not present until advanced disease is present. The thoracic surgery department at Hackensack University Medical Center believes the main reasons lung cancer is not recognized at an earlier curable stage is because of a general lack of awareness of the potential for cure and of lack of preventative screening.

Lung cancer has long been a shameful cancer no one wants to talk about or acknowledge because of its taboo association with smoking. And there tends to be a false belief that surgical treatment will worsen quality of life, decrease activity, and worsen breathing. This reluctance and fear has made lung cancer the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. This needs to end. It's time to start talking about lung cancer and embrace those afflicted.

As lung cancer surgical specialists, the HUMC team strives to provide patients with both compassionate and effective care; before, during and after surgery. Surgical removal of early lung cancers may offer a cure for most patients. Life goes on after cancer and there is no shame in the diagnosis. In fact, the preparation for surgery often involves health lifestyle changes which stand to benefit the patient for years to come. Here is just one successful story of many which attests to the reality of lung cancer surgery.

For the past two years the HUMC department has teamed with the American Lung Association and participated in the Fight for Air Climb in Newark at the Gateway Center in support of lung health research. The HUMC team won the "Battle of the Scrubs" as the fastest health care team for the second year in a row. The team also won a number of other accolades, but its greatest accomplishment was having two former lung cancer survivors climb with them that day. Both patients previously underwent lung removal and have continued to live their active lives with new found energy and expectancy. Each of these ladies completed the climb of 28 floors and 504 stairs and are looking forward to next year's climb. HUMC celebrates them and their story with the hope that others may be inspired to overcome whatever struggle or fear they face, no matter how insurmountable it may seem.