Lung Cancer Care Like No Other Lung (thoracic) cancer is the second most common type of cancer in both men and women. It starts in the lungs and usually doesn’t cause symptoms until later stages of the disease. While a high number of lung cancer cases happen in current or former smokers, you can still develop the disease even if you’ve never smoked. Early detection is critical to treating lung cancer in the earliest stages, so it’s important to talk with your doctor about your risk and screening options. Guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend annual screenings for people 50 and older who have a 20+ pack-year history (the number of packs smoked per day times the number of years) or who have quit in the past 15 years. The Thoracic Oncology Clinic at Beacon If you or a family member are at risk or have been diagnosed with lung cancer, your doctor may invite you to participate in the Thoracic Oncology Clinic. Unique to Elkhart county – and nationally recognized by the American College of Radiology – the Thoracic Oncology Clinic is changing the face of lung cancer in our community through early screening and diagnosis and an unparalleled approach to patient consultation. A Comprehensive Approach The Thoracic Oncology Clinic brings together patients, caregivers and a multidisciplinary team of board-certified specialists – in the same place, at the same time – with a focus on delivering the highest quality care to each individual. All close to home. Together, you and your caregivers are engaged and empowered to: Meet with a team of oncologists, interventional radiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, pathologists and other specialists View your scans and biopsy slides Discuss your specific case and treatment options Ask questions Share in the decision-making process By meeting with your care team in one session, you have access to all the resources you need to clearly understand your condition, what comes next, and additional physician consults that may be needed. With You Every Step of the Way We understand that facing a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. We’ve got your back. From your first call, you are at the heart of a partnership with one goal: helping you navigate this journey with treatments as individual as you are. We’ll help you understand all of your options and ensure that you are in control of every aspect of your care, every step of the way.