Introduction
Lung cancer is a disease of out of control cell growth in tissues of the lung. It is one of the most common cancers in the US, accounting for about 15 percent of all cases, or 170 thousands new cases every year. It is also the most prolific cancer killer in America, taking more lives each year than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths in US females and is responsible for as many deaths as breast and all gynecological cancers combined.
Smoking, radon, and second hand smoke are the major factors. Smoking causes an estimated 160,000* deaths in the United States. Smoking leads to 85 % to 90 of all lung cancers. Smoking affects non-smokers by exposing them to 2nd hand smoke. If a person ceases smoking, this chance steadily decreases as damage to the lungs is repaired and contaminant particles are slowly removed.
Radon
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas created by the breakdown of radioactive radium, which in turn is the decay material of uranium, found in the earth’s crust. Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer among those who do not smoke, according to EPA estimates. Radon causes between fifteen thousand and twenty two thousand deaths each year in the United States — twelve percent of all lung cancer deaths are linked to radon.
Risk
Risk factors encompass, the following: Smoking cigarettes or cigars, either now or in the past. Not all cases are created by smoking, but the role of passive smoking is increasingly being seen as a risk factor, leading to policy interventions to decrease unwanted exposure of non-smokers to others’ tobacco smoke. A smoker who is also exposed to radon has a much greater risk. The greater the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the earlier you began smoking, the greater your chances of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.
Signs include: Chronic cough, Hoarseness, Coughing up blood, Weight loss & loss of appetite (anorexia), Shortness of breath, Fever for no specific reason, Wheezing, Repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia and Chest pain. About ten percent of persons do not have symptoms at diagnosis; these cancers are incidentally found on routine chest x-rays. In fact, lung cancer can spread (metastasize) outside the lungs without causing any symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment is based on the cancer‘s specific cell type, how far it has spread, and the patient’s performance status. It also is dependent on the stage, or how advanced it is. Treatment selections can be discussed with your health care provider. It may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. In recent times, various molecular targeted therapies have been developed as treatments.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is the second most commonly happening form of cancer in the majority of western countries, and it is the leading cancer-related cause of death. It is the most common reason for cancer deaths in both men and women, accounting for nearly thirty three percent of cancer deaths annually in the US. It has become the subject of a great amount of research. Even though the rate of men dying from it is declining in western countries, it is actually increasing for females due to the increased takeup of smoking by this group. We already know that the best way to prevent it is to stop (or never start) smoking. Three to five years after stopping, the risk of developing the disease is reduced by 50%.
Ricardo Henri is the creator of Natural Remedies,Treatments And Cures,a site with vast information about taking care of your own body without depending on medications and needless surgery. Subscribe to his monthly newsletter @ quick natural remedies or quick natural cures