Lung cancer

Lung cancer

One of the most terrifying forms of cancer is perhaps lung cancer. Statistics reveals that lung cancer is the second frequent diagnosed cancer in the United States, thus it is considered a major public health problem. Accordingly, 31% of cancer deaths in men and 26% in women are secondary to lung cancer.

Even if statistics reveal the alarming number of lung cancer patients, the tobacco consumption around the globe still continue to progress. Many are already aware that the cause of lung cancer is smoking however many of us still remain passive regarding this issue. People fail to understand that even if they don’t smoke, they are still susceptible to this cancer if they are exposed to an environment where smoking is prevalent. One must remember that even the second hand smoke (when you inhale the smoke from someone smoking) and the third hand smoke (when you smell used cigarette butts or when you go to a place where the scent of smoke is still present) can cause harm to anybody. Hence the issue of smoking must be addressed to minimize the death related to lung cancer.

What do we need to know about lung cancer?

Types

Basically, lung cancer, just any other forms of cancer is the result of accumulation of uncontrolled abnormal cells in the lungs causing the presence of tumor. There are two major classifications of cancer namely: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The difference comes from the appearance of the cancer cells under the microscope. NSCLC occurs mostly and is accounted to be responsible for almost 80% of lung cancer patients, while the remaining 20 % come from SCLC. Not all lung cancer patients get their disease from the environment. Sometimes, there are cases where they get this cancer genetically. Family history is the root of occurrence of lung cancer to other people.

Causes

Tobacco, asbestos, arsenic, radiation such as gamma and x-rays, the sun, and compounds in car exhaust fumes are all examples of compounds that cause lung cancer. Accordingly, 87% of lung cancers are because of smoking or exposure to such environment.

Symptoms

Lung cancer patients exhibit different symptoms including the following:

• Persistent or intense coughing
• Pain in the chest shoulder, or back from coughing
• Changes in color of the mucus that is coughed up from the lower airways (sputum)
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing
• Hoarseness of the voice
• Harsh sounds while breathing
• Chronic bronchitis or pneumonia
• Coughing up blood

Remember that there may be a different manifestation of symptoms in some patients. To be sure, it is best advised to consult a doctor and perform the necessary test that will confirm your condition. Also, if you happen to exhibit any of the above mentioned symptoms, it is best advised to visit your doctor and run a proper check up on you.