Risk factors of lung cancer and life expectancy

Among various deadly diseases, Lung cancer also threatens human life and cause of cancer deaths in both men and women around the globe. Lung cancer can be understood by common man as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that start off in one or both lungs; usually in the cells that line the air passages. The abnormal cells do not develop into healthy lung tissue, they divide quickly and form lumps.

People generally are gripped into lung cancer due to excessive cigarette smoking. Passive exposure to tobacco smoke can also results in lethal lung cancer.

People can well comprehend that there are two types of lung cancer, which grows and spreads differently. These include:

Small cell lung cancers (SCLC)

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

Stages of lung cancer:

There are various stages of lung cancer that denotes to the extent to which the cancer has spread in the human body.

-      Non-small cell lung cancer has four main stages:

Stage 1: Cancer is found in the lung, but it has not spread outside the lung.

Stage 2: Cancer is found in the lung and nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 3: Cancer is in the lung and lymph nodes in the middle of the chest.

Stage 3A: Cancer is found in lymph nodes, but only on the same side of the chest where cancer first started growing.

Stage 3B: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest or to lymph nodes above the collarbone.

Stage 4: Cancer has spread to both lungs, into the area around the lungs, or to distant organs.

-      Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has further two main stages. In the limited stage, cancer is found in only one lung or nearby lymph nodes on the same side of the chest.

The broad stage means cancer has spread throughout one lung, to the opposite lung, to lymph nodes on the opposite side, to fluid around the lung, to bone marrow and to distant organs.

Major Symptoms of lung cancer:

Symptoms are similar for both types of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer).

Initially patients exhibit following symptoms:

1.   Lingering or worsening cough.

2.   Coughing up phlegm or blood.

3.   Complain for chest pain that it worsens when they breathe deeply, laugh, or cough.

4.   Hoarseness

5.   Shortness of breath

6.   Wheezing

7.   Weakness and fatigue

8.   Loss of appetite and weight loss

Risk factors for lung cancer:

It is well observed and people know that smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer. That includes cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.

Tobacco products contain thousands of toxic substances. Reports of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that people who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more susceptible to get lung cancer as compared to non-smokers.

Another biggest risk factor that leads to lung cancer is exposure to radon, a naturally occurring gas.

Exposure to radon, a naturally occurring gas also augment risk of lung cancer.

People who breathe in unhygienic condition are under great risk of lung cancer.

Heredity factor is not yet well known but plethora of medical researchers found that a family history of lung cancer does increase risk up to some extent. Cases of hereditary lung cancer is reported more in female patients.

Diagnostic procedures of lung cancer:

When patient visit to doctor, he/she perform thorough physical examination, and after that doctor recommends some specific tests, such as:

Imaging tests: An abnormal mass can be seen on X-ray. MRI, CT and PET scans. These scans produce more detail and find smaller lesions.

Sputum cytology: If you produce phlegm when you cough, microscopic examination can determine if cancer cells are present.

A biopsy can determine if tumour cells are cancerous.

For treatment for lung cancer, doctors use combination of procedures according to the stage of cancer such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy as well as newer experimental methods.

Life expectancy of patients suffering from lung cancer:

It is a highly complex question as none of the doctor can exactly tell about how long patient will live with lung cancer. It depends on his medical situation, treatment and level of fitness.

In general, the life expectancy of patients suffering from lung cancer depends on numerous factors such as type of lung cancer, stage of disease, race and gender.

Preventive measures to curb lung cancer:

When persons are diagnosed with lung cancer. At early stage, they can control this lethal ailment through espousing several lifestyle changes and proper medication.

Ø Patients must eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Choose a healthy diet with ample of fruits and vegetables. It is suggested to avoid heavy doses of vitamins in pill form, as they may be injurious.

Ø Exercise must be done regularly in clean environment.

Ø People must avoid exposure to toxic chemicals at work.

Ø Smoking is prohibited for people suffering from lung cancer.

To cope up with lung cancer, patients must quit smoking, expand social network through many social media sites to share their anguish associated with lung cancer. They must keep in touch with support group to get help in case of seriousness.

In brief, Lung cancer is prime cancer slayer of human worldwide. According to medical reports, it can be treated if diagnosed at early stage. Person must not smoke heavily and adopt healthy habit to enhance life expectancy.