The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure

Raising The Odds Of Catching Curable Lung Cancer Early

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NBC Reporter Says He Was 'Angry' When His Non-Smoker Mother Was Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

When Miguel Almaguer first found out about his mother Clementina's cancer diagnosis, he was more than just upset.

The NBC reporter was not only "angry" and "sad" at the situation, he explained in a Today article Thursday, but "confused."

"My mom, Clementina, is literally the healthiest person I know. Her diet is incredible. She eats veggies because she likes them. She doesn't drink. She exercises every day and wrestles with my nephews until they give up," he said about his mom, who was diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer in 2013 at age 65.

What's more, he added, "she has never smoked."

Miguel Almaguer/Courtesy NBC's TODAY

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in America, and will likely kill 135,720 people this year. More people die from lung cancer than all colon, breast, and prostate cancer deaths combined. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 228,820 Americans diagnosed with lung cancer this year, 85 percent of whom smoked cigarettes.

Almaguer, 42, explained that doctors think his mother's cancer is the result of a gene mutation. According to the American Cancer Society, as many as 20 percent of people who die from lung cancer in America have never smoked or used any form of tobacco.

Clementina underwent surgery, which doctors thought would get rid of the cancer. But they soon learned it had already spread to her lymph node—and possibly the rest of her body. The next step was chemotherapy and radiation.

When lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, 70 percent of people live at least five years. But once lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, long-term survival is as low as five percent.

Clementina's treatment took its toll.

"I felt like she was slipping away, and there was nothing worse than that. She was so weak, so skinny," Almaguer said. "The woman who always exercised could barely walk."

After she finished her treatment, Clementina had to undergo regular scans to see if the cancer had returned — a process that Almaguer described as "awful and terrifying."

But, he says, "she beat the odds" and is currently in remission. She continues to get routine check-ups, while Almaguer is "loving every minute" with his mother.

Sharmila Tagore Lung Cancer: Everything You Need To Know About Zero-Stage Lung Cancer

Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore revealed that she had quietly battled cancer in 2023. The news took many fans by surprise, not only because of the disclosure itself but also due to how minimal her treatment had been. Her daughter, Soha Ali Khan, explained that the cancer was caught at an extremely early stage which is stage zero, a phase so subtle that most people aren't even aware it exists. Soha added that her mother didn't require chemotherapy, as the cancer was successfully removed through surgery.

In an interview with Nayandeep Rakshit, Soha said, "With my mother, she was one of the very few people to be diagnosed with lung cancer at stage zero, and no chemotherapy, nothing. It was cut out of her and she is, touchwood, fine."

Zero-Stage Lung Cancer, also known as Stage 0 lung cancer or carcinoma in situ, is the earliest possible form of lung cancer. At this stage, abnormal cells are found in the lining of the airways (typically the innermost layer of lung tissue) but have not yet invaded deeper tissues or spread beyond the lungs. Because the cancer is still localised and has not grown into surrounding lung tissue, Stage 0 is highly treatable and often curable when detected early.

Signs of zero-stage lung cancer

Zero-stage lung cancer often doesn't cause noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to detect without targeted screening. However, in some cases, subtle signs might appear:

Persistent cough not always severe, but it lingers over time and doesn't go away.

Slight changes in voice or hoarseness especially if the abnormal cells are near the vocal cords.

Blood in sputum (hemoptysis), small traces may appear occasionally.

Wheezing or shortness of breath. Mild, but noticeable with exertion.

Chest discomfort, a dull ache, or tightness, not usually sharp or severe.

Because symptoms are rare or vague at this stage, routine screenings (like low-dose CT scans) for high-risk individuals (especially smokers or those with a family history) are crucial for early detection.

Can zero-stage lung cancer be prevented?

While not all cases can be prevented, risk can be significantly reduced by focusing on lifestyle and environmental factors:

Avoid smoking, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Even exposure to secondhand smoke increases risk.

Limit exposure to harmful substances like radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution.

Maintaining a healthy diet abundant in antioxidant-rich foods (like leafy greens and berries) can help protect lung cells from damage.

Exercise regularly as it helps improve lung function and immune response.

Routine screenings especially for people with a history of smoking or occupational hazards.

Treatment tips for zero-stage lung cancer

Stage 0 lung cancer treatment focuses on completely removing or destroying the abnormal cells before they spread. Since it's non-invasive, treatment is often effective and less intense than in later stages.

Wedge resection or segmentectomy may be used to remove the localised lesion without removing the entire lung lobe.

Sometimes only the affected section of a bronchial tube lining is removed.

Techniques like photodynamic therapy (PDT) use light-sensitive drugs and lasers to destroy cancer cells through a bronchoscope.

In select cases where the lesion is extremely slow-growing, doctors may opt for regular monitoring instead of immediate treatment.

Since the cancer hasn't spread, chemotherapy or radiation is rarely used at this stage unless recurrence or spread is detected later.

Regular scans and checkups are critical to ensure no progression or recurrence.

In summary, Zero-Stage Lung Cancer is highly treatable when caught early, and outcomes are often excellent. Awareness of risk factors, commitment to prevention, and early screening are key steps in both reducing your risk and catching it before it advances.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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