02/04/2022
LUNG CANCER
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. Your lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that takes in oxygen when you inhale and release carbon dioxide when you exhale.
TYPES OF LUNG CANCER
The two general types of lung cancer include;
1. Small cell lung cancer: this occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers and is less common.
2. Non-small cell lung cancer: this is an umbrella term for several types of lung cancers they include; squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.
SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER
Lung cancer typically doesn’t cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages, but signs and symptoms typically occur when the disease is advanced. They include:
1. A new cough that doesn’t go away
2. Coughing up blood, even a small amount
3. Shortness of breathe
4. Chest pain
5. Hoarseness
6. Losing weight without trying
7. Bone pain
8. Headache
CAUSES OF LUNG CANCER
Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers both in smokers and in people exposed to second hand smoke. But lung cancer also occurs in people who never smoked and in those who never had prolonged exposure to second hand smoke. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of lung cancer.
RISK FACTORS
A number of factors may increase your risk of lung cancer. They include;
1. Smoking: your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarette you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked.
2. Exposure to second hand smoke: even if you don’t smoke, your risk of lung cancer increases if you’re exposed to second hand smoke.
3. Previous radiation therapy: if you’ve undergone radiation therapy to the chest for another type of cancer, you may be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.
4. Exposure to radon gas: radon gas is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually becomes part of the air you breathe.
5. Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens: work place exposure to asbestos and other substances known to cause cancer such as arsenic, chromium and nickel can increase your risk of developing lung cancer, especially if you’re a smoker.
6. Family history of lung cancer: people with a parent, sibling or child with lung cancer have an increased risk of the disease.
COMPLICATIONS
Lung cancer can cause complications such as;
1. Shortness of breathe
2. Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
3. Pain
4. Fluid in the chest (pleural effusion)
5. Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body
PREVENTION
1. Don’t smoke
2. If you smoke, stop smoking
3. Avoid second hand smoke
4. Test your home for radon
5. Avoid carcinogens at work
6. Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables
7. Exercise most days of the week
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. If you smoke and have been unable to quit make an appointment with your doctor.
