Lung cancer screening is one of the simplest tools available in cancer care, yet it remains widely underused. A low-dose CT scan takes just a few minutes and can detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.

Jim Pantelas is a Navy Veteran and a 20 plus year lung cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with stage 3B lung cancer at age 52, back when lung cancer screening was not available. Today, he is joining Dr. Drew Moghanaki, a thoracic oncology leader and VA physician, to deliver a clear message to Veterans and anyone with a smoking history.

Get screened. Every year.

Key Topics Discussed: How lung cancer can grow with no symptoms until it is advanced Why Veterans may face higher risk from airborne hazards and toxic exposures What screening is like and why it takes less than three minutes Why annual screening matters, not just one scan How early detection expands treatment options and improves outcomes How to access screening through the VA or through civilian healthcare Why screening is covered and cost should not stop you

Featured Guests: Jim Pantelas, Navy Veteran, 20 plus Year Lung Cancer Survivor Dr. Drew Moghanaki, UCLA and VA Thoracic Oncology Leader

Key Takeaway: Lung cancer is curable when caught early. If you are eligible, start screening at 50 and go every year.

Resources mentioned in this episode: PACT Act Benefits and Eligibility: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ VA Lung Cancer Screening: https://www.prevention.va.gov/preventing_diseases/screening_for_lung_cancer.asp Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Registry: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp LCFA Screening Information: https://lcfamerica.org/about-lung-cancer/detection/screening/

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Hashtags: #LungCancer #VeteransHealth #CancerScreening #EarlyDetection #VAHealthcare #PACTAct #HopeWithAnswers #LCFA

Our nation's Veterans are on the front lines of a new fight: advocating for lung cancer screening and powering the next wave of research using blood tests to screen for lung cancer.

Air Force and Navy Veteran Donnita Butler shares how a simple low-dose CT scan saved her life after she advocated for screening despite initial pushback. Alongside Dr. Drew Moghanaki, a leading expert in Veterans' lung cancer care, they reveal how today's VA screening programs are catching cancer early when it's most curable—and how thousands of Veterans are donating blood to help develop tomorrow's breakthrough detection methods.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why Veterans face higher lung cancer risk due to toxic exposures (asbestos, burn pits, Agent Orange)
• How the VA's new screening policy is saving lives by systematically identifying at-risk Veterans
• The simple 3-minute screening process that can catch lung cancer at its earliest, most curable stage
• Exciting research on blood-based biomarker tests that could detect cancer even before it shows on scans
• How Veterans can access screening through the PACT Act and VA healthcare
• The importance of biomarker testing and clinical trials in personalized treatment

Featured Guests:

Donnita Butler: Air Force and Navy Veteran diagnosed with stage 1A lung cancer through screening, now thriving at 70

Dr. Drew Moghanaki: Veterans Health Administration lung cancer specialist leading screening initiatives and biomarker research

Key Takeaway:

Lung cancer is curable if caught early. If you're a Veteran over 50 with a smoking history, talk to your doctor about screening today. As Dr. Moghanaki says: "Leave no one behind."

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Veteran Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• PACT Act Benefits & Eligibility - Expanded VA health care & benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
• VA Lung Cancer Screening (Free LDCT Screening for Eligible Veterans) Learn more and talk to your VA provider: https://www.prevention.va.gov/preventing_diseases/screening_for_lung_cancer.asp
• Airborne Hazards & Burn Pit Registry Document deployment exposures and stay informed about related health concerns. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp

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#LungCancer #VeteransHealth #CancerScreening #EarlyDetection #VAHealthcare #PACTAct #ClinicalTrials #BiomarkerTesting #HopeWithAnswers #LCFA

Small cell lung cancer was once considered one of the most challenging diagnoses in oncology. But today, groundbreaking treatments are transforming patient outcomes and rewriting survival stories. Discover how immunotherapy, T-cell engagers, CAR T-cell therapy, and antibody drug conjugates are moving from clinical trials to standard care, offering patients years of disease control and genuine hope for the future. Featuring insights from Dr. Jacob Sands, thoracic oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and inspiring patient advocate Wendy Brooks, who shares her powerful journey from early detection through cutting-edge clinical trials, proving that advocacy and hope can change everything.

Guests:

Dr. Jacob Sands, Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Courtney Mantz, Program Manager II, SCLC Program, Dr. Sands’ Assistant. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology Wendy Brooks, Patient Advocate

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Early detection of lung cancer can save lives. In this essential episode, two-time survivor and LCFA co-founder David Sturges shares how screening helped him beat lung cancer—twice. Joined by Dr. Denise Aberle and LCFA-funded researcher Dr. Kellie Smith, this episode dives into why lung cancer is often diagnosed late, what new screening methods can do to change that, and what the future of early treatment might look like.

David Sturges, Lung Cancer Survivor & LCFA Co-founder Dr. Denise Aberle, Thoracic Radiologist, UCLA Medical Center Kellie Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University & LCFA Early Career Researcher

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Shining a light on the caregiving journey for lung cancer patients, Dr. Allison Applebaum, founder of the Caregiver’s Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and caregiver Gail Fackler, along with her husband, Jim, speak candidly about the mental health challenges caregivers face, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The conversation covers the overwhelming realities of caregiving, from managing medical decisions to coping with guilt and loss of identity.

Gail and Jim share raw, honest stories about how caregiving has transformed their lives and relationships. Practical strategies for caregivers—such as task management, setting boundaries, and finding support networks—offer hope and guidance. Learn more about the critical importance of mental health support for caregivers and the power of community in navigating this journey.

Guests

Dr. Allison Applebaum, Founding Director, Caregiver’s Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Gail and Jim Fackler, Lung Cancer Caregivers and Patient

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In this special re-release of Hope With Answers, lung cancer advocate Jill Feldman tackles a challenge that most patients never see coming—stigma. Originally aired in January 2020, this candid and emotional episode sheds light on the damaging assumptions patients face and how words can wound, even when well-intentioned.

From doctors and friends to complete strangers, the first question many patients hear is: “Did you smoke?” It's a question that implies blame—and lung cancer survivors like Jill Feldman have heard it far too often. In this episode, Jill teams up with journalist Steven Petrow to unpack the emotional toll of these encounters and offer advice on how to respond with grace and strength.

You'll also hear from Dr. Alice Berger, a lung cancer researcher investigating why young, non-smoking women are increasingly being diagnosed with lung cancer. Her work helps shift public perception and challenges outdated assumptions about who gets lung cancer—and why.

This episode explores:

• The real impact of stigma on lung cancer patients
• How language shapes the patient experience
• What not to say to someone with lung cancer
• How empathy and civility can reshape conversations
• Groundbreaking research on lung cancer in non-smokers

Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or advocate, this episode will change the way you think—and talk—about lung cancer.

Show Notes

Originally aired in May 2020, this final episode of The First 7 Days podcast series provides newly diagnosed lung cancer patients with crucial guidance on developing a personalized treatment plan. Building on the foundations established in previous episodes about finding the right medical team and understanding diagnostic testing, this concluding installment helps transform overwhelming information into actionable steps forward.

The landscape of lung cancer treatment has evolved dramatically, extending far beyond traditional chemotherapy. This episode navigates the expanding array of treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and combination approaches. Listeners will learn how biomarker testing influences treatment selection and understand the potential role of clinical trials in their care plan.

• How treatment decisions are made
• Key factors influencing treatment selection
• The role of biomarker testing in personalizing treatment
• When to seek second opinions
• Strategies for coordinating care across medical teams

While focused on the initial weeks after diagnosis, this episode sets the stage for long-term cancer management by providing practical tools and resources for ongoing decision-making.

Gain confidence in working collaboratively with your healthcare team while advocating for your needs throughout the treatment journey.

Dr. David Carbone, Oncologist at The Ohio State University

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A lung cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but getting a second opinion could be a game-changer in your treatment journey. In this episode of the Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer podcast, thoracic oncologist Dr. David Carbone, along with lung cancer survivors and advocates, discusses why seeking a second opinion—especially from a specialist at a university-based center—can provide access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials.

Lung cancer advocates share their personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and finding a doctor who values additional insights. A second opinion isn’t about doubting your doctor—it’s about ensuring you have all the information needed to make the best decision for your health.

Tune in to learn why a second opinion could open new doors in your lung cancer treatment plan.

The First 7 Steps downloadable

Transcript | Show Notes