November is Lung Cancer Month: Know the Latest Information About This Deadliest of Cancers

November is Lung Cancer Month: Know the Latest Information About This
Deadliest of Cancers

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lung cancer is the world's
most common cancer, and an estimated 219,440 Americans are expected to be
diagnosed this year.(1) It is also estimated that lung cancer will cause
159,000 deaths in the United States this year - more than the total number of
deaths resulting from breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.(1) Still,
lung cancer lags far behind other cancers in both awareness and research
funding, and, partly due to its connection with smoking, there can be a stigma
attached to the disease.(2)

But there is hope for lung cancer patients. According to Richard Gaynor,
M.D., vice president of oncology product development and medical affairs at
Eli Lilly and Company, a leader in thoracic cancer treatment, "Researchers
have made important strides in the last decade in lung cancer prevention,
detection and treatment. We know that secondary smoke is detrimental.(3) We
have better X-rays and spiral CT scans to detect lung cancer earlier on. And
we know that where treatment is concerned, lung cancer, like breast cancer,
can benefit from a tailored approach."

In the past, oncologists have used similar approaches to treatment based on
lung cancer diagnosis, staging and prognosis.(4) But advances in tailored
treatment options may help oncologists choose which patients could be more
likely to benefit from certain therapies.

"While our work is far from finished, we do have a better understanding of
lung cancer today, and patients can benefit," said Dr. Gaynor.

Prevalence and Prognosis
Lung cancer can affect any adult, including nonsmokers. Since 1985, it has
risen to be the world's most common form of cancer, and an estimated 219,440
more Americans are expected to be diagnosed this year.(5) The chance that a
man will develop lung cancer is about 1 in 13, and for a woman it is
approximately 1 in 16.(1) Nearly 70 percent of people diagnosed with lung
cancer are older than 65; fewer than three percent of all cases are found in
people under the age of 45.(6)

Survival is improved the earlier a patient is diagnosed with lung cancer.
With early detection, there is a 50 percent chance of surviving for five
years. However, only 16 percent of cases are diagnosed at an early stage.
Unfortunately, as the disease is often diagnosed at later stages,
approximately 59 percent of those with lung cancer will die within the first
year of diagnosis.(7)

The five-year survival rate for lung cancer has increased slightly over the
last 30 years. In the mid-1970s the rate was 13 percent, as compared to the
latest statistics which find the rate at 15.6 percent for the years 1999 -
2006.(8)

Symptoms
In the early stages of the disease, many people have vague or no symptoms.
Persistent cough along with blood in the phlegm and shortness of breath are
common symptoms of lung cancer. Sometimes, symptoms may seem unrelated to the
lungs or breathing. As lung cancer is diagnosed mostly in later stages, the
primary cancer may have already spread to other parts of the body. Depending
upon where the cancer spreads and which organs are affected, symptoms may also
include headaches, weakness of a limb, bone pain, weight loss and loss of
appetite.(9)

If You are Diagnosed: What to Ask Your Oncologist(10)
-- What kind of lung cancer do I have?
-- Has my cancer spread beyond my lungs, or is it limited to my lungs
only?
-- What is the stage of my cancer, and what does that mean in my case?
-- Are there other tests that need to be done before we can decide on
treatment?
-- What treatment choices do I have?
-- What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest?
-- How long will treatment last? What will it involve? Where will it be
done?
-- What are the chances of recurrence of my cancer after treatment? And
what treatments are available if it recurs?

-- Am I eligible for clinical trial?

For more information on the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, diagnostics and
treatment options, please see your qualified healthcare professional.

About Lilly Oncology, a Division of Eli Lilly and Company
For more than four decades, Lilly Oncology has been dedicated to delivering
innovative solutions that improve the care of people living with cancer.
Because no two cancer patients are alike, Lilly Oncology is committed to
developing novel treatment approaches. Our quest is to develop a broad
portfolio of tailored therapies that accelerate the pace and progress of
cancer care. To learn more about Lilly's commitment to cancer, please visit
www.LillyOncology.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing
portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its
own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific
organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -
through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent
medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at
www.lilly.com.

(1) American Cancer Society, "What Are the Key Statistics About Lung Cancer?,"
October 24, 2008, American Cancer Society,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_Are_the_Key_Statistics_About_Lung_Cancer_15.asp?sitearea,
(September 1, 2009).
(2) Lung Cancer Alliance, "2009 Facts About Lung Cancer," Lung Cancer
Alliance, www.lungcanceralliance.org/pdf_docs/2009_Factsheet.pdf, (October 14,
2009).
(3) American Cancer Society, "Secondhand Smoke," May 22, 2009, American Cancer
Society,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2X_Secondhand_Smoke-Clean_Indoor_Air.asp,
(September 30, 2009).
(4) National Cancer Institute, "Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)
Health Professional Version," July 10, 2009, National Cancer Institute,
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/non-small-cell-lung/HealthProfessional/page2,
(September 1, 2009).
(5) American Cancer Society, "How Many People Get Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?"
2009, American Cancer Society,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1x_How_Many_People_Get_Non-small_Cell_Lung_Cancer.asp?sitearea=
, (October 14, 2009).
(6) American Cancer Society, "What Are the Key Statistics for Small Cell Lung
Cancer?." October 30, 2008, American Cancer Society,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_Are_the_Key_Statistics_for_Small_Cell_Lung_Cancer.asp?sitearea,
(September 1, 2009).
(7) American Cancer Society, "Cancer Facts & Figures 2009," Atlanta: 2009,
www.cancer.org/docroot/STT/STT_0.asp, (October 8, 2009).
(8) National Cancer Institute, "Fast Stats: An interactive tool for access to
SEER cancer statistics. Surveillance Research Program," National Cancer
Institute, http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html, (September 1,
2009).
(9) American Cancer Society, "How Is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosed?."
October 24, 2008, American Cancer Society,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3x_How_Is_Non-Small_Cell_Lung_Cancer_Diagnosed.asp?sitearea=,
(October 20, 2009).
(10) American Cancer Society, "What Should You Ask Your Doctor About Non-Small
Cell Lung Cancer?," October 24, 2008, American Cancer Society,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_5x_What_Should_You_Ask_Your_Doctor_About_Non-Small_Cell_Lung_Cancer.asp?sitearea=,
(September 30, 2009).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO)

CR-LLY

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

Amy Sousa, Lilly, +1-317-276-8478 (office), +1-317-997-1481 (mobile),
sousa_amy_e@lilly.com, Neil Hochman, TogoRun, +1-212-453-2067 (office),
+1-516-784-9089 (mobile), n.hochman@togorun.net