Lung cancer is a disease that affects thousands of people thoughout the world. It is one of the most widely spread types of cancer today . Lung cancer affects more people than breast, cancer, colon, rectal and prostate cancer. Last year lung cancer killed over 160,0000 people in the US alone. The most common way to get lung cancer is by smoking cigarettes. Over 85 % of lung cancer cases are due to smoking.
Lung Cancer Defined
A person that develops lung cancer has cells in their
lungs that have grown beyond what they should. These abnormal
cells are capable of spreading to other organs and throughout
the body. When they spread to other parts of the body,
they become tumors.
These tumors interfere with the lungs ability to function
properly.
There are several types of lung cancer. The most common type of lung cancer is called non small lung cancer. This type is of cancer is slow in development. It is responsible for the majority of lung cancer occurrences. The other type is small cell lung cancer which grows at a much quicker rate than non small cancer. Treatment varies widely.
Who Is At Risk?
As previously stated, the number one cause of this deadly disease is smoking nicotine. The longer you smoke and the more you smoke, the greater your chance for developing lung cancer. Smoking cigarettes, pipes, cigars and chewing tobacco, all put you at great risk. Stopping this deadly habit can decrease your risk no matter your age or how long you have been smoking. Other risk factors include asbestos which is found on many job sites such as mining, installation and other industrial jobs. If you work in a place that exposes you to dust, gasoline, talc, arsenic, exhaust fumes, uranium, nickel, chromium, radon and other gases you could be increasing your chances. Additional risks are: air pollution, medical exposures on the job, chemicals and patients who suffer from tuberculosis.
How Can I Prevent Lung Cancer?
The most important thing you can do to combat this deadly disease is to stop smoking. Remember, that side stream smoke is now considered to be just as hazardous to your health as if you were the smoker. Also, keep in mind that smoking marijuana may increases your chances for lung cancer.The second most important thing to do to reduce your risk is to make sure you are not living near or working in a place that will put you at risk. If you follow these simple steps I have outlined above, you are decreasing your chances enormously.
Signs And Symptoms To Look For
Below is a list of warning signs to watch for. Usually, when lung cancer is in its early stages you will not experience these symptoms. The cancer usually progresses to where the tumor has significant growth and then the signs begin to appear. Do keep in mind that several diseases have similar or even the same symptoms as lung cancer. If you feel you are at risk, experiencing symptoms or are a long term smoker, please see your doctor for an exam.
• Shortness of Breath (SOB)
• Significant weight loss for no apparent reason
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling tired all the time
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• A persistent cough (often a serious sign, see your doctor immediately)
• Jaundice
• A tingling or numbness in arms and legs
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Bronchitis that keeps returning
• Reoccurring Pneumonia
• Hoarseness
• Wheezing
• Neck and face swelling
• Headaches
• Aching joints
• Bone Fractures or pain in the bones.
• Memory loss
• Change in sputum color
• Shoulder or back pain when coughing
Treatment
There are many options available today. Your doctor will want to evaluate which type of lung cancer you have, determine its location and how advanced it has become.
Surgery
Surgery is most often used on patients that have non small cell lung cancer. If the surgery is successful, all of the cancer is removed. Sometimes, depending on the location of the tumor, a section of the lung may have to be removed. This is known as a wedge resect. Surgery is not usually used on small cell lung cancer, this type of cancer is treated with chemotherapy or radiation because it spreads much quicker.
Chemotherapy
The idea of chemotherapy is to kill the cancer cells that may be spreading to other areas of the body. Chemotherapy can be very effective because it can kill even the tiniest of cells that surgery may have missed. Chemotherapy is also an option if a patient elects not to have surgery . Chemotherapy can be administered in several different ways such as intravenously or orally. Your doctor may elect a combination of surgery, chemo and radiation. With chemotherapy comes side effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, bleeding, swelling etc. For a better explanation of chemotherapy please read our article intitled “Understanding Chemotherapy.”
Radiation
Radiation uses gamma rays (high energy rays) to kill cancerous cells. Lung cancer patients commonly use this type of treatment. Radiation can be combined with surgery. Sometimes your physician may treat your cancer with radiation to shrink the tumor before performing surgery. Radiation is often used in cases where the cancer is more advanced. With radiation the chance of reoccurrence is lessened. Radiation also has its side effects which include nausea, hair loss, low blood count and fatigue. Ask your doctor for a complete list
This article is intended for informational purposes
only. It is not intended for diagnosis nor to replace
the opinion of a qualified physician.
