Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Austria and worldwide, with late diagnosis frequently contributing to poor patient outcomes. Despite a strong link to smoking, advancements in treatment and a growing understanding of the disease are offering new hope. This article explores the latest research on lung cancer, including the benefits of quitting smoking at any age, the promise of immunotherapy and targeted therapies, and the ongoing debate surrounding early detection screening programs-while also raising concerns about the rising rates of youth vaping.
Lung cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, and early detection is often difficult, leading to poorer outcomes for patients. As an oncologist at the Medical University of Graz, Gudrun Absenger witnesses this reality daily. “Patients often don’t experience symptoms until the tumor in the lung is already quite large or has spread to other organs,” says Absenger. This is a key reason why only around 25 percent of lung cancer cases are discovered at a stage where treatment is likely to be curative.
Quitting Smoking Pays Off at Any Age
Lung cancer is linked to smoking in up to 90 percent of cases, and despite improvements in smoking bans, approximately 14,000 people in Austria still die each year from tobacco-related illnesses. A recent study analyzing data from 1.48 million people highlighted the significant impact of smoking on lifespan. The research found that smoking reduced life expectancy by 12 years for women and 13 years for men in the 40- to 79-year-old age group. When looking specifically at smoking-related causes of death – such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illnesses – life expectancy was reduced by an even greater margin: 24 years for women and 26 years for men.
Gudrun Absenger, Onkologin MedUni Graz
© Sissi Furgler Fotografie
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However, the same study also demonstrated that quitting smoking offers benefits at any age, particularly when done before the age of 40. Stopping smoking before age 40 brought the mortality rate of former smokers back to that of non-smokers within three years. “There are few lifestyle changes that contribute to a longer life as significantly as quitting smoking,” says Bernd Lamprecht, President of the Austrian Society for Pneumology.
Lung Cancer Screening is Needed
Experts have long advocated for lung cancer screening for early detection. Such a program would target individuals with defined risk factors: long-term active and former smokers between the ages of 50 and 75, as well as those exposed to dust, gases, or fumes due to their occupation for extended periods. These groups would undergo routine screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to detect potential lung cancer early and improve treatment outcomes. “International data shows that such a program could save many lives,” emphasizes pulmonologist Lamprecht. Austrian pulmonologists also point out that screening could lead to the early detection of other respiratory conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis or COPD.
Oncologist Absenger strongly supports early detection, similar to existing programs for breast or colon cancer in Austria, but acknowledges the challenges. “We would need clearly defined care pathways, because a CT scan alone doesn’t necessarily indicate whether a finding is cancerous.”
If a scan raises suspicion, a tissue sample would need to be taken – a procedure that carries risks. Furthermore, these investigations would need to be accommodated within the limited resources of the healthcare system. Absenger stresses that such screening should be coupled with smoking cessation support. Despite these hurdles, the expert is optimistic that Austria will be able to establish a lung cancer screening program.
Immunotherapy Has Brought a Breakthrough
Medical research has also made significant strides, and new therapies are improving lung cancer treatment. “Immunotherapy has been a real breakthrough,” explains Absenger. Lung cancer is one of the cancers that responds particularly well to immunotherapy, so most patients are now treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Many patients experience very good results, with five-year survival rates increasing from around 12 percent in 2015 to around 24 percent in 2022. “However, the therapy doesn’t work for all patients,” Absenger adds. Targeted therapies are also an option for some patients with lung cancer and specific tumor mutations.
Absenger also expresses concern about the increasing use of vaping products and e-cigarettes among young people, which could lead to lifelong addiction. There is also a lack of data on the long-term effects of these products. “Any harmful substance that enters the lungs irritates the tissue and doesn’t belong there,” says Absenger. She fears that “an unpleasant awakening” may be on the horizon regarding these vaping products.
