What is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women of any ethnic group? Many people may be surprised to find that it is lung cancer. An average of 437 people each day die it.
"Each day in the United States, it's like a jumbo jet crashes," said Jean Kamla, R.N., of the disease.
"Lung cancer will kill more people this year than breast, colon, prostate, and melanoma cancers combined."
Kamla, who is the Local Event Organizer for the Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk, spoke at Wednesday's meeting of the Sulphur Kiwanis Club.
Each year in Louisiana, about 3,650 people are diagnosed with the disease and 2,700 people die from it. Kamla stated that in this state more people are diagnosed each year with lung cancer than with prostate, colon, breast, and pancreatic cancers combined.
"It's a factor here in our state," she said.
And unlike other cancers, there is no early detection.
"When a lung cancer diagnosis is made, it's usually made at stage four when people have less than a 15 percent chance of surviving five years," stated Kamla.
And she knows it all from personal experience. Not long ago, her brother, Ben Mount, local attorney and husband of state senator Willie Mount, was diagnosed with Stage IV (4) lung cancer. Initially, Mount believed that he had congestion or pneumonia, and his doctor agreed. According to Kamal, lung cancer is often misdiagnosed as pneumonia, which may account for such a high rate of lung cancer patients in advanced stages of the disease. Mount aggressively pursued other testing when his 'pneumonia' did not resolve itself, resulting in the correct diagnosis of lung cancer.
Last fall, he participated in a clinical trial of proton therapy at M.D. Anderson in Houston. Photon therapy allows higher doses of controlled radiation, and it significantly reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissue and vital organs. M.D. Anderson is one of seven current sites in the country offering this therapy. The results have been positive.
"Last week, we got a report that Ben is cancer free at the moment."
Kamla has dedicated herself to helping others become cancer free as well by working to increase awareness and research funding. Lung cancer is woefully underfunded in comparison to other cancers and the stigma of smoking as the number one cause for lung cancer has made it difficult to receive funding.
"There is no doubt that smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer," said Kamla, but the heart and vascular nurse pointed out that smoking is also the number one cause of heart disease.
"We have to treat it as a disease and get away from the stigma of [smoking], then we'll have research dollars."
The Free to Breathe run and walk is one local way to help fund research. This is the second year for the event. Last year, over 1,200 people participated with $110,000 raised. And it was one of only 13 held nationally.
"It really is a grassroots movement," said Kamla.
And 100 percent of all funds raised will be dedicated to supporting the Louisiana Hope Research Grant through the National Lung Cancer Partnership. So monies raised will be dedicated to research.
"Our hope is that the Louisiana Hope Grant is going to make a difference," said Kamla. "It may the grant that finds a cure."
The kickoff for the event is on Friday, March 26, 7:30 a.m. in the Contraband Room at the Civic Center. Joan Schiller, M.D. and President of the National Lung Cancer Partnership will be the guest speaker. She will talk on breakthroughs in current research. Tickets for that event are $25.
The run/walk itself will take place on Saturday, March 27, beginning with a 7 a.m. registration and 8 a.m. opening ceremony at the Civic Center. Online registration, which is until March 23, is $15, and event day registration is $20.
"We are right on the verge of [finding a cure]," said Kamla. "And the breakthroughs for lung cancer effect all cancer treatments."
More information on the Free to Breathe event can be found on www.freetobreathe.com. You can also email Kamla at jamokam@bellsouth.net or call her at 337-540-3952.
