Facts About Lung Cancer

What are the facts? It is one of the leading types of tumor and the leading cause of deaths due to the disease worldwide.

According to facts, it has already surpassed breast tumor in causing deaths among women. Smoking is one of the known and proven causes of lung tumor. It has 2 types: the non-small cell (NSCLC) and the small cell (SCLC).

The tumor develops in and attacks the tissues of your lungs. Ninety to 95% of lung tumor begin usually in the cells lining both the larger (bronchi) and smaller (bronchioles) airways. That is why, it is also called as bronchogenic tumor.

It can also start in the pleura, the layer of tissues inside your lung. Such type of tumor is known as mesothelioma. It is regarded as a lung disease affecting the elderly because majority of the cases are diagnosed among people 65 years old and above. Tumors do not grow overnight or in a day; they are caused by continually subjecting your lung cells to environmental toxins such as those coming from cigarettes.

What are the facts about lung cancer causes?

The facts are . . .

if you smoke, you are at a high risk because smoking is a major reason. If you don't smoke but you're exposed to secondhand smoke, you face a higher risk. Unfortunate facts but true! Cigarette smoking is the reason for almost 90% of tumor cases involving the lungs. Other factors include aging, family history and a lot more.

Many of Chinese women are non-smokers but surprisingly, they have a very high lung tumor rate among them. According to facts about lung cancer by Oncology Channel, this phenomenon can be attributed to exposure to cooking oil vapors and other forms of air pollution in the indoor environments of China.

But personally, I think it is also due to frequent exposure to effects of second hand smoke. Smoking is allowed everywhere in China.

According to facts about lung cancer, it was not a common type 70 years ago but due to an increase in the use of tobacco, the number of cases has ballooned rapidly.

What are the facts on side effects of lung cancer?

Its side effects can be mild to extremely life-threatening such as pneumothorax characterized by collapse of your lungs.

It is a a type of tumor that has a poor prognosis. In fact, survival rate after a diagnosis and even with treatment is a low 5-year rate. It is an aggressive type of tumor because it tends to spread very quickly.

Why are the facts on lung cancer stages?

Staging is different for the non-small cell and the small cell types. But still, staging is important for proper treatment. Although the disease can spread to any organ in the body, it prefers some organs more than the rest. At stage 4, the most common sites favored by cancerous cells to metastasize to are the adrenal glands, the liver, the brain and the bones.

What are the facts on treatments for lung cancer?

Treatment options vary depending on the stage the tumor is in at the time of your diagnosis. Your health condition is also another factor to consider. Types of treatment include surgery and radiation among others.

What are the facts on how to prevent lung cancer?

If you don't smoke, good for you and your family. If you do smoke, consider giving up the habit. and reap the benefits of not smoking. You might be motivated to dump those cigarettes for good.

Related Article: Effects of Quitting Smoking

What are the facts on the warning signs and early symptoms of lung cancer?

It is also one of the most difficult types to diagnose and treat because it produces symptoms in a deceptive manner. Symptoms to be aware of are . . .

• persistent smoker's cough

• chronic cough even if you don't smoke and

• unexplained pain at the back and shoulders that doesn't go away.

Sources of Facts:

Lung Cancer Overview(oncologychannel)

National Cancer Institute