Basic Facts About Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer begins in the lungs but may spread to the lymph nodes and other organs. Lung cancer is usually divided into two primary types: small cell and non-small cell cancer. The more common cancer type is non-small cell and includes adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer and is linked to 80-90% of lung cancer deaths. Use of cigars and pipes also increases the risk. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals of which 70 are known to cause cancer in people or animals. Individuals who smoke have a 15-30 times higher chance of developing lung cancer.

Radon, a naturally occurring gas that forms in rocks, soil, and water, is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Up to 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States has high radon levels, and radon exposure is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Radon testing kits are available and can determine if your home has increased levels of the gas.

Other risk factors for developing lung cancer include exposure to substances like asbestos, diesel exhaust or other pollutants. Breathing secondhand smoke, a personal history of another cancer or a family history of lung cancer may also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

In the U.S. around 10-20% of lung cancer diagnoses happen in people who have never smoked or who smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.

Some of the symptoms of lung cancer are coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood, fatigue, and weight loss. Anyone with these symptoms should discuss them with their physician.

Certain individuals with no symptoms should have a screening test for lung cancer. Since lung cancer may spread early, it is important to catch it early when treatment is more effective.

The U.S. Preventative Task Force recommends yearly lung cancer screening for people who

• Have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and

• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years, and

• Are between 50 and 80 years old.

A pack-year of smoking is calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years of smoking.

The recommended screening test is called a low-dose CT scan. Since screening involves some radiation and may carry the risk of over-diagnosis (a false positive), screening is only recommended for those who have a high risk of developing lung cancer based on their smoking history and age.

The best prevention for lung cancer is to stop smoking. Not only will this decrease your risk of cancer, but it will lower the risk of lung cancer for those around you by stopping their inhalation of second hand smoke.

For more information:

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/index.htm

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer.html

https://www.lung.org/