Lungs Cancer – A Look At Its Risk And Prevention

Dear Steemians, you know all those years of smoking weren't good for your health. And even though you quit a long time ago, the years that you worked in an office where people routinely lit up only increases your concern. You wonder if it's too late to do something that might reduce your risk of lung cancer. And even if you have never had significant smoke exposure, there are steps you can take to protect your lungs. Read on to learn about lung cancer risks and prevention strategies.

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Risk Factors

Lung cancer accounts for one in four cancer-related deaths. Smoking is by far the greatest risk factor for lung cancer. Your risk increases with the number of cigarettes, pipes or cigars you smoked each day and the number of years you smoked. But even if you've never smoked or you quit a long time ago, you may still be at risk. Other factors that increase your risk of lung cancer include:

► Exposure to secondhand smoke — Even if you don't smoke, your risk of lung cancer increases if you're exposed to smoke from others.
► Exposure to radon gas -Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Unsafe levels of radon can accumulate in buildings, including some homes.
► Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens - Workplace exposure to asbestos and other substances known to cause cancer - including arsenic, chromium and nickel - can increase your risk of lung cancer.
► Family history of lung cancer - If you have a parent, sibling or child who has had lung cancer, your own risk of the disease is increased.

Signs And Symptoms

In its early stages, lung cancer typically doesn't cause any signs or symptoms. Any warning signs generally occur when the cancer is more advanced. These include persistent cough, mucus coughed up from the lungs (sputum) that's streaked with blood, chest pain, voice changes, progressively worsening shortness of breath, and recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis. If you're concerned about lung cancer, your doctor can order tests to look for the cancer. After performing a physical exam and history, your doctor may recommend:

• Imaging tests — X-ray imaging may be used to evaluate symptoms. A CT scan can detect abnormalities.
• Sputum cytology — If your cough is producing sputum, viewing the sputum under a microscope can sometimes reveal the presence of cancerous cells.
• Biopsy — If a suspicious nodule or mass is found, a sample of cells may be removed to look for any abnormalities.
• Bronchoscopy — A scope is placed into the airways to evaluate coughing up blood and is the most frequent method of getting a biopsy if imaging reveals an abnormality.

Treatment

If lung cancer is detected, you and your doctor will work together to choose a treatment plan that's best for you, taking into consideration your overall health, the extent of the cancer and your personal preferences. Options traditionally include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. In addition, newer treatments include targeted drug therapies that work by exploiting specific abnormalities (mutations) in cancer cells. In many cases, more than one treatment method will be the best approach. While treatments continue to improve, lung cancer remains a very deadly disease - five-year survival rates are only 15%for men and 21% for women. This is largely because the disease usually goes undetected before manifesting at an advanced, less treatable stage.

Prevention

Can lung cancer be avoided? No, not always. But there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

► Don't smoke - If you've never smoked, don't start. If you do, quitting will be the number one thing you do to improve your health. Whether you're an occasional or a heavy smoker, quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer along with heart disease, stroke and a number of other significant health concerns. Talk to your doctor about using stop-smoking aids and other strategies for quitting that can help you along the way. Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups.

► Avoid secondhand smoke - If you live with, work with or spend time with someone who smokes, urge the person to quit or to smoke away from you and others. Whenever possible, avoid areas where people smoke.

► Test your home for radon - Have the radon levels in your home checked, especially if you live in a region where it's a known problem.

► Protect yourself from carcinogens - Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals. For example, wear a mask while using cleaning products in the home, or when working with chemicals, such as in the workshop.

► Follow a healthy lifestyle - Although it's not clear if they decrease the risk of lung cancer, some evidence has shown that diet and exercise may have an impact. Eat a diet full of a variety of fruits and vegetables, and try to exercise most days of the week.