Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the Lungs. The lungs are part of the respiratory system, being two spongy tissues in the chest that take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide in the respiratory process. Lung cancer is a leading cause of death both in men and women. The symptoms of lung cancer are varied and are not noticeable in the early stages. Some symptoms of lung cancer include but not limited to; chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, reoccurring cough among other symptoms.
Someone suffering from Lung Cancer might be unable to breathe properly and may need an oxygen concentrator to deliver oxygen into their system.
Here are 5 important facts you need to know about Lung Cancer:
- People Who Smoke Have the Greatest Risk of Lung Cancer
Smoking causes the majority of Lung Cancers. Smoking nicotine cigarettes over a long period of time has an adverse effect on one’s health which could be lung cancer and this risk increases with the length and number of cigarettes smoked. Lung cancer could also be caused by a second-hand smoking effect. All the above is believed by medical scientists to be as smoking damages the cells that line the lungs.
It has also been estimated that smoking is responsible for over 90 percent of reported lung cancer cases.
Although it seems the body should be able to repair these cells, but with repeated and prolonged exposure, it is not able to cope. Other risk factors that could result in lung cancer include; exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens, air pollution, radiation etc.
Lung cancer is also prevalent in elderly people above 50 years especially those who have indulged in smoking for a lengthy period. In their lifetime.
The good news is that Ceasing tobacco use can help no matter how long you’ve been smoking. A great number of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, and quitting at any point reduces the risk of you developing the disease in future, and as the years go by after quitting, chances of getting several other smoking-related cancers drop as well.
- Lung Cancer has 2 Major classifications
Medical practitioners and oncologist classify cancer into 2 major groups; Small Cell Lung Cancer and Non-Small cell Cancer. Small cell cancer occurs majorly in smokers and is almost non-existent in non-smokers. Small cell cancer is the more aggressive form of cancer.
- Lung cancer is the second most occurring cancer among both men and women, that’s excluding skin cancer
Prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women are the most occurring forms of cancer. After that, you have Lung Cancer as the second highest occurring type of cancer in both men and women and it is by far the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women. Each year, more men and women die from lung cancer than from colon and breast cancer combined. Lung cancer accounts for millions of death worldwide every year.
Early detection increases the chances of survival. The survival rate for lung cancer is just 16.8 percent. That gloomy statistics does not mean that it is impossible to survive lung cancer, that is why early detection plays a role and people are advised to seek medical screening often.
- Majority of people Diagnosed with lung cancer are Non-Active smokers
Not to be confused, smokers are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer, but actually, a larger amount of lung cancer cases occur in non-active smokers. This is because non-smokers have a greater chance of developing lung cancer if they are exposed to second-hand smoke; this includes people who used to smoke in the past. Quitting smoking certainly reduces the risk, but it still remains
- Second-hand Smoke can Cause Lung Cancer
Constantly being around smokers and inhaling the smoke the exhale poses a health risk to non-smokers. This second-hand smoke can damage the cells leading to cancer. E-cigarettes containing carcinogens such as formaldehyde can spur cancerous development in the lungs and cause harm to the respiratory system.
Awareness of how our habits and daily exposures that we would ordinarily consider harmless could have a damaging effect on our lungs is key to reducing the incidence of lung cancer.