Women are disproportionately overrepresented in many diseases of the lung. The multidisciplinary team at NewYork-Presbyterian is dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment, support, and research for how lung disease affects women. Here’s how you can benefit from our center:
- We partner with each patient to create personalized treatment plans that address your unique needs. Whether you have lung cancer, emphysema, or a chronic lung condition like asthma, we have the knowledge and experience to take care of you.
- In addition to our core treatment services, you can take advantage of various support resources designed to help you regain your health. These include nutritional counseling, cancer survivorship programs, and guidance for navigating the medical system.
- Through our commitment to using research and data to improve the quality of our care, our patients benefit from the development of research protocols that better characterize lung cancer, improved methods for identifying potential risk factors for lung disease, and more.
Conditions We Treat
Women are disproportionately affected by lung disease — for example, two out of every three non-smokers who get lung cancer are women. Understanding why is a significant goal of our center, and we also want to help you stay informed if you or a loved one gets sick.
Here are some of the conditions and treatments our center covers:
Asthma
Asthma is a condition that causes the airways to swell and produce excess mucus. This makes breathing more difficult and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening. Learn about the causes of asthma and how this condition can be managed and treated.
Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a broad category of conditions that cause inflammation or scarring in the lungs. While there are numerous causes, women are more susceptible if they have other autoimmune conditions. Learn more about this particular type of ILD.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a condition that results from chronic bacterial infections in the lungs. It causes the walls of the lungs to thicken and can make breathing difficult.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a condition characterized by inflamed and/or damaged lungs. It is most often caused by smoking. The number of women with COPD has increased in recent decades, which may mean women are more susceptible to the effects of cigarettes.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer deaths in women. It kills more women than breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer combined. It is most often caused by smoking or prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke.
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Infections
Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infections describe a group of diseases caused by a type of bacteria called mycobacteria. Infections are typically limited to people who already have a lung condition, such as COPD.
Treatments We Offer
Lung Surgery
Surgery can be used to repair diseased lung tissue, removing a portion of damaged lung, or to replace lungs entirely. It is often the most effective method of treating lung disease.
Nonsurgical Lung Treatments
There are a variety of nonsurgical treatment options for lung disease. The best option depends on your specific condition, severity, health, and preferences.
Our Team
World-Class Medical Experts
Director, Columbia Women's Lung Center
Professor of Surgery at CUMC
Specialties
Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Affiliations
NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN / COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER
Associate Professor of Medicine at CUMC
Director of Adult Bronchiectasis Center, NYP/CU
Specialties
Cancer Care
Affiliations
NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN / COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER
Assistant Professor of Medicine at CUMC
Clinical Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology Service
Specialties
Internal Medicine
Affiliations
NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL
Specialties
Pulmonary Disease
Affiliations
NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL