Lung Cancer - An Overview

In this article series, we take a look at some of the basic facts and information about lung cancer ...

Why lung cancer can be a ruthless problem

Most lung tumours start to grow silently without showing any symptoms. People with a lung tumour often don't develop symptoms until the cancer has reached an advanced stage and it's been estimated the time from one cell becoming cancerous until it is large enough to be diagnosed or produce symptoms can take as long as 10 to 40 years.

Since most lung cancers are diagnosed at a comparatively late stage, only about 10% of all lung cancer patients are eventually cured. If the person with lung cancer cannot be cured by surgery at the time the cancer is found, there is a 50% chance death will take place in less than a year.

Who's at Risk of Lung Cancer?

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. But different types of cancer have different risk factors.

For example, if you sunbathe unguarded from the sun, you run the risk of skin cancer as exposure to strong sunlight is a risk factor for this type of cancer.

There are several risk factors which can make you more likely to develop lung cancer:

Researchers have discovered there are several causes of lung cancer and most of them are related to smoking.

Risk factors for small cell lung cancer include:

• Smoking cigarettes are the most well-known cause of lung      cancer. This includes the smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes in the past.
• Being exposed to second hand smoke.
• Being exposed to asbestos or radon.

Up to 90 percent of lung cancer patients are or have been smokers. Many of the 10% left have been exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke.

There are dangerous substances, called carcinogens in tobacco and over time they damage the cells in the lungs. These damaged cells can then become cancerous. If you stop smoking before a cancer starts to develop, the damaged lung tissue has a chance to gradually return to normal.

It's difficult to predict which type of smoker is at greater risk of developing lung cancer, though in general, a smoker's probability of developing cancer depends on:

• The age they began smoking
• How long they have smoked
• How many cigarettes per day they smoke.

Cigars and Pipes.

Cigar and pipe smokers have a higher risk of lung cancer than non smokers. Several factors also have to be taken into consideration.

• The number of years someone smokes
• The number of pipes or cigars they smoked per day
• How deeply they inhaled

All affect the risk of developing lung cancer. Even cigar and pipe smokers who don't inhale are at increased risk for lung, mouth, and other types of malignancy.

Marijuana

Many "pot" smokers don't realise Marijuana contains more tar than cigarettes. Marijuana in addition is inhaled very deeply and the smoke held in the lungs for a long time. Many of the cancer-causing substances in tobacco are also found in marijuana.

A person who has had lung cancer on one occasion is more liable to develop a second lung cancer than a person who has never had the disease. Stopping smoking after lung cancer has been diagnosed helps prevent the development of a second lung cancer.

Gender

Some doctors think women who smoke or are exposed to tobacco smoke, are more likely to have lung cancer than men. Researchers have found a gene called GRPR which causes unusual cell growth in people exposed to cigarette smoke. This gene is more active in women than in men and may explain why females are more prone to lung cancer.

Diet

Some research has indicated a diet low in fruit and vegetables may increase the chances of developing cancer if exposed to tobacco smoke. Some evidence shows fruit and vegetables may protect against lung cancer.

Disease

Certain lung diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB) can increase a person's chance of developing lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma lung cancer seems to develop in areas of the lung scarred from TB.

The article series "Lung Cancer - An Overview" continues on the next page ...

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