Lung Cancer Guide
Who is at Risk
Smokers have a 20 times higher risk of lung cancer than nonsmokers
LUNG CANCER is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide.
Asian Americans are less likely to get annual lung cancer screening than other racial groups in the US.
Common Symptoms
숨가쁨 (Shortness of breath)
피로감 및 쇠약감 (Fatigue or weakness)
의도치 않은 체중 감소 (Unintended weight loss)
식욕 부진 (Loss of appetite)
원인 모를 만성 기침 (Chronic cough without known cause)
객혈 (Coughing up blood)
어깨, 등, 또는 가슴의 통증 (Ache in your shoulders, back, or chest)
쉰 목소리 또는 쌕쌕거림 (Hoarseness or wheezing)
Where to Go for Care
STEP 1: SCREENING
If you have risk factors, you need screening.
Lung cancer screening requires a CT scan prescription from your primary care doctor.
If you don’t have a primary care doctor, the following pages from our Directory may help you in finding one:
NOTE: Please note that typically, a doctor must take your insurance plan to accept you.
Consider asking your primary care doctor about cancer centers that have screening programs that can be found at the following link:
STEP 2: DIAGNOSIS
If you have chronic coughing, blood with coughing, wheezing, or voice changes, you may need to be referred to a pulmonologist for further evaluation.
To see a pulmonologist, you need a referral from your primary care physician. You can ask them about Korean-friendly pulminologists from the following list:
If any of the imaging from the CT scan mentioned above is positive for a nodule, you likely need to be referred to a pulmonologist, thoracic surgeon, or interventional radiology for a biopsy.
You may consider asking your primary care physician about Korean-friendly options from the following:
Interventional radiology
STEP 3: TREATMENT
If diagnosed with Lung Cancer, consider talking to your primary care physician about the following options:
Hematology/Oncology (for chemotherapy)