*Lung cancer is known to be the third most common form of cancer in the US that causes a major number of deaths. The most common reason that leads to it is smoking. Although there are treatments for lung cancer, such as chemotherapy, many men lose their lives after being diagnosed with it as they have reached a stage where the treatments are unable to work on them.
Your lungs have been made for you to breathe, inhaling the oxygen, while exhaling the carbon dioxide. You can say that your lungs are perhaps the most important as well as the most delicate organs of your body. Without them, you might not have been able to be alive. However, no matter how much you try to protect your lungs, there is a chance that you end up being diagnosed with cancer due to the polluted environment you live in or your habits, such as smoking.
Lung cancer takes place when there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that form tumours inside any part of the lungs or airways. Although men who smoke can be diagnosed with it, even men who have never smoked in their entire life are at a risk of cancer as well. It is a fact that if you quit smoking, the chances of developing cancer can be reduced. Let’s get to know more:
Symptoms
When at its early stage, it usually does not showcase any signs or symptoms. However, once it reaches its advanced stage, it shows certain symptoms such as:
A new cough that does not go away.
Coughing up blood, even if a small amount.
Shortness of breath.
Chest pain.
Hoarseness.
Losing weight without trying.
Bone pain.
Headache.
Risk Factors of Lung Cancer
It has already been discussed that smoking is the major cause of lung cancer in men. *In the US, smoking has been linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. Apart from that, using other tobacco products, such as cigars or pipes can also increase your risk for lung cancer. However, people who have quit smoking have a lower risk for lung cancer.
Now let us talk about passive smoking or secondhand smoking. Passive smoking is taking in the smoke from other men’s cigarettes rather than smoking it yourself. If you think that joining your friend from work while he smoked and enjoying your coffee meanwhile was safe for you, think again. Passive smoking can also lead you to lung cancer as well as a painful death.
After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of cancer. If you don’t know what radon is, let us explain to you. Radon is a natural gas that forms in rocks, soil as well as water. It can not be seen, tasted, or smelled, however, when it gets into homes through cracks or holes, it can get trapped and join with the air. People who live or work in these homes breathe in the high radon levels. Over a long time, radon can lead to lung cancer.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is one type of cancer which shows its symptoms and signs late and can lead to quite a painful death. While there are treatments, they too are very agonising and cannot always save you. The best way to make sure that you do not end up with this disease is to not smoke. Along with that, stay away from the people who smoke so that you do not passively smoke.
Keynotes
Third most common: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/index.htm
80% to 90%: