ASTRO releases patient information brochure for lung cancer

The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) has published a new patient information brochure called "Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer: Facts to Help Patients Understand Their Treatment."

Because a cancer diagnosis can be such an overwhelming experience for lung cancer patients and their families, ASTRO said it created the brochure that explains how doctors are using radiation therapy to treat lung cancer.

The brochure explains the different types of radiation therapy and how they work to treat lung tumors. It also helps patients locate a radiation oncologist in their area as well as find more information on support groups and clinical trials.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 175,000 Americans will learn they have lung cancer this year. Of these patients, it is estimated that nearly two-thirds of them will receive radiation therapy, either alone or in combination with other treatments.

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