• Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States, and the Midsouth states of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi are among the worst affected.
• The Baptist Cancer Center in Memphis, Tennessee, aims to prevent and treat lung cancer in this region with their new program Mid-South Miracle.
• The program includes a variety of cancer detection, prevention, and treatment services.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death throughout the United States, particularly in the Midsouth. Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi are among the worst-affected states in the country, with nearly double the rate of lung cancer deaths, lower survival rates, and significantly higher numbers of new cases compared to the rest of the country. Due to various causes, including insufficient treatments and more late-stage diagnoses, lung cancer remains one of the top health issues in Southern states.

Through its Mid-South Miracle program, the Baptist Cancer Center in Memphis aims to decrease lung cancer mortality in the Midsouth by 25 percent by 2030. The nonprofit also seeks to redefine the disease as both a preventable and curable form of cancer.

“We have spent years developing the critical components of the Mid-South Miracle, and I am excited to see it realized,” Dr. Raymond Osarogiagbon, Baptist Cancer Center’s chief scientist and director of the center’s multidisciplinary thoracic oncology program, said in a press release. Dr. Osarogiagbon predicted that Mid-South Miracle’s approach will revolutionize lung cancer treatment globally through the use of practical, high-quality programs and team-based care.

Mid-South Miracle features several key components aimed at better detecting and treating lung cancer.

Accessible Smoking-Cessation Programs

Cigarette smoking remains the No. 1 risk factor for lung cancer and is linked to 80 percent to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee have some of the highest cigarette-smoking rates in the country: Mississippi’s smoking rate is the fifth-highest of all states (20.4 percent), Arkansas’ is the sixth-highest (20.2 percent), and Tennessee’s is the eighth-highest (19.9 percent). Mid-South Miracle aims to reduce the number of smoking-related lung cancer cases and deaths by providing effective, accessible smoking-cessation programs.

Earlier Diagnosis and Regular Screening

Lung cancer’s status as one of the leading causes of cancer deaths is primarily attributable to the fact that it’s often caught late in its progression. Additionally, almost half of all non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are diagnosed in an advanced stage.

Regular low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans can help health care providers catch lung cancer at earlier stages, increasing its treatability. According to Mid-South Miracle, just 5 percent of eligible individuals undergo annual low-dose CT scans. The program aims to increase this rate through proactive education for both physicians and those eligible for screening.

Collaborative, Specialized Care

Studies have found that a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer care — one that includes a team of different health care providers working in tandem — leads to better screening and more efficient care. Mid-South Miracle aims to engage a wide team of providers in lung cancer care during weekly meetings to assess individuals’ treatments and health progress.

Mid-South Miracle also emphasizes the importance of taking a unique, tailored approach to each person’s cancer treatment. Rather than applying generic therapies, their health care team members use approaches like gene therapy to better understand and treat individuals’ lung cancer.

Access to Clinical Trials

Clinical trials allow individuals to access promising new treatments at no cost. The Baptist Cancer Center connects those with lung cancer with clinical trials, giving them access to these potentially life-saving therapies, regardless of cancer stage or extent.

You can learn more about Mid-South Miracle by visiting the Baptist Cancer Center’s website.