Med Center Health specialist discusses World Lung Cancer Awareness Day

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Aug. 1 is World Lung Cancer Awareness Day, an ideal time to discuss lung cancer detection.

News 40 sat down with a Med Center Health specialist to discuss screening and what symptoms could be a sign of lung cancer. With new screening technology available, lung cancer can be detected early on and increase survivability greatly.

Dr. Rodney Steff, a pulmonologist with Med Center Health, said screening is important at any point in time. However, lung cancer typically doesn’t present symptoms until later stages.

Steff described the possible symptoms, saying they can include shortness of breath, a cough that won’t go away, coughing up blood and weight loss. He said that is usually in the more advanced stages.

In addition, Steff said the biggest way to avoid lung cancer is by not smoking.

If you happen to notice any kind of pulmonary issue, Steff says to get screened by your primary care provider, if not a pulmonologist.

Steff says catching the cancer early is the difference between something that is survivable to something that is terminal.

To learn more about lung cancer screening, click here.