Cancer is an illness in which the cells in your body grow in the form of a tumor. When a tumor grows in the human lungs, it is referred to as lung cancer.
Usually, lung cancer starts in the lungs and can spread to your lymph nodes and other organs, including the brain.
Promoting Good Health for Lungs
A perfect way to promote good health for your lungs is to avoid smoking cigarettes. At least 80% out of the total 7,000 chemicals in cigarettes can damage the cells in the lungs.
According to H2228 researchers and biotechnology experts, individuals who smoke are at a greater risk of getting human lung cancer.
Apart from quitting smoking cigarettes, researchers suggest that you can also promote the health of your lungs by:
- Staying hydrated
- Maintaining regular exercise
- Practicing a deep breathing exercise
Forms of Lung Cancer
Mostly, lung cancer begins in the lining of the breathing tube or trachea. It may also form in your glands below the lining of the bronchi.
Today, there are two main types of lung cancer. These include non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, both of which spread and grows differently.
Around 80% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its major subtypes include large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma.
On the other hand, small cell lung cancer is not that common, like NSCLC, accounting for around 20% of every lung cancer. This kind of lung cancer usually grows rapidly and is likely to spread to other body parts faster.
Signs and Symptoms
Individuals with lung cancer might not have symptoms until they go to a late stage. If symptoms start manifesting, they might resemble those of respiratory infections, including:
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- A hoarse voice
- Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
Risk Factors
One of the risk factors for getting lung cancer is smoking. This includes pipes, cigarettes, and cigars. According to CDC, a cigarette smoker is 20 times more susceptible to lung cancer than a nonsmoker.
The longer time you smoke cigarettes, the greater the chances of having lung cancer. Other than smoking cigarettes, other risk factors contributing to lung cancer are previous radiation therapy to your chest, family history, and personal history, particularly if you smoke.
Lung Cancer Treatment
It is important to have an appointment with your medical doctor if you start observing persistent symptoms and signs.
If you’re a smoker and unable to stop smoking, schedule an appointment with a doctor. The expert will recommend several strategies for quitting, like nicotine replacement products, counseling, and medications.
In the case where you’re diagnosed with lung cancer, your doctor may also suggest different treatments. These treatments depend on the lung cancer type, general health, and how advanced it is. Some of these treatments include:
- Radiotherapy
- Surgery
- Palliative care
- Targeted therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Staging
The Bottom Line!
Researchers and medical experts are still looking for smarter medicines and improvements in targeted drugs, which may outlast and outwit cancer cells.
Plus, there are many clinical trials, all focusing on overcoming immunotherapy and targeted medicines. Combining all these with chemotherapy will improve the length and quality of a person’s life.
