Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, among both men and women. An estimated 173,700 new cases of lung cancer and an estimated 160,440 deaths from lung cancer will occur in the United States. It claims more lives each year than colon, prostate, lymph and breast cancers combined.Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.Asbestos can cause a variety of lung diseases, including lung cancer. There is a synergistic effect between tobacco smoking.
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up blood), chest pain ,repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis and weight loss. Many lung cancers have a rich blood supply. The surface of the cancer may be breakable, leading to bleeding from the cancer into the airway. Treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer's specific cell type, how far it has spread, and the patient's performance status. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Wedge resection to remove a small section of lung that contains the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue. Lobectomy to remove the entire lobe of one lung. Pneumonectomy to remove an entire lung. Bevacizumab stops a tumor from creating a new blood supply.
Bevacizumab is usually used in combination with chemotherapy and is approved for advanced and recurrent non-small cell lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy�"(PDT) may be particularly useful for the care of persons with inoperable lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy inaugurated with the injection of a light-activated drug (e.g., photofrin/polyhaematoporphyrin, lumin). Elecctrosurgery is surgery performed using a needle, bulb, or disk electrode. Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. At least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Biking, swimming and walking are good choices. Stop smoking now. Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer, even if you've smoked for years.
Lung Cancer Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Stop smoking now. Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer.
2. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants.
3. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
4. Exercise daily biking, swimming and walking are good choices.
5. Avoid carcinogens at work. Take precautions to protect yourself.
Most cases of lung cancer are smoking related, but not all smokers will develop this form of the cell degenerative disease. It is a good idea to quit smoking if you are, and even the occasional cigar could increase your chances of getting related cancer. This is why it is also especially dangerous to smoke near children and babies, because among the other harmful effects, this can play a huge role in their development of cancer one day.
There are many different types of lung cancers. These are Epidermold carcinoma or Squamous cell carcinoma which is most common in men and attacks the bronchial tube lining. Then there is Adenocarcinoma cancer related to lungs which forms in the mucus glands and occurs mainly in females and in non smokers. Bronchioalveolar carcinoma is a rare part of Adenocarcinoma cancer, forms near to the air sacs in the lung and is shown to be responding more effectively to the newer clinical trial treatments.
Other types of lung cancer are the Large cell undifferentiated carcinomas which occur on the outer edges of the lungs closer to the surface. This type spreads more quickly than the others and has usually done so by the time it is even diagnosed. Small cell related cancer is caused more often than not by smoking and accounts for 20 percent of all cases of the disease. The cells start off small but quickly grow into large tumors.
Lung cancer can be easy to miss as the symptom produce in the form of normal flu like symptoms and normal illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia. You could have an irritating cough and some chest, back and shoulder pain. If you notice any blood in the sputum or a change in its color then it will be wise to have it checked. Other symptoms could include a shortness of breath or very difficult breathing.
The symptoms of such type of cancer do not have to be only respiratory related. You might have loss of or no appetite, fatigue, joint and head aches, swelling in the face or neck and also sudden weight loss. More severe symptoms of lung cancer can include strange lapses in memory and becoming unsteady on your feet. There are many therapies and treatments, including some clinical trials, so if you are diagnosed, speak to your practitioner about these options.
Both Juliet Cohen & Darren D are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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