"If we get it in the early stages the successful treatment rate is fairly high," said Sharer. "If caught in the early stages the five year survival rate is 60 to 70 percent."

And then Sharer gave the bad news, "Once spread, there is no cure." Sharer said that lung cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in America and all but a small percentage of sufferers are smokers. "Clearly lung cancer is caused by smoking," said Sharer. "If people quit smoking their risk of getting lung cancer decreases over time." The Phoenixville Hospital aggressively attacks lung cancer by use of three different treatment methods: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Very often these treatments are used in combination. Sharer said that there are usually no early warning signs for lung cancer. A loud persistent cough or shortness of breath are occasional tip-offs. Sharer said that treatment of lung cancer has changed dramatically in the past eight or ten years. "Somebody shouldn't just go into a closet and wait to die." He said that there are now more drug options and the medications are easier to tolerate. Sharer said that people who smoke and have lung cancer often suffer from emphysema, heart disease, and have a higher risk of throat, mouth and bladder cancer. A typical scenario that leads to a lung cancer diagnosis often starts when someone suffers from a cold or infection and continues to be ill through a course of medication. A chest X-ray might show abnormalities and an out patient biopsy might confirm a diagnosis of lung cancer. Radiation treatment takes only two minutes at a time and is performed at Phoenixville Hospital with a new high-tech machine that pinpoints the dosage. Treatments are commonly given five days per week for six weeks. Usually a total of thirty treatments are prescribed. Sharer said during 17 years of practice that he has seen many changes in treatment and much better ways of controlling side effects with better medications. The hospital aggressively educates the community about the dangers of smoking. Through Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), 35 Phoenixville Area High School (PAHS) students have been community health trained to educate and speak to youths through peer education about the ills of smoking. "It's youth to educate youth," said Director of Community Health Education and Outreach Programs Anna Mae Galbraith. Thursday, Nov. 20, is "The Great American Smoke -Out." Americans are encouraged to quit smoking for the day. During lunch time at the PAHS videos will be shown and costumes will push the anti-smoking message. Goody kits will be handed out to smokers and participants will be given a chance to "Adopt a smoker." Smokers will pledge not to smoke for the day. The hospital staff is also involved with the community through several workshops and smoking cessation classes . As part of the Tobacco-Free Coalition, nurses at PAHS and Owen J. Roberts High School help students beat the addiction. "The staff has been trained to talk positively about why not to smoke," said Phoenixville Hospital Registered Nurse Rosemary Newcombe. Galbraith hopes that elementary students will "down the line follow into middle school and keep promoting smoke free."

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