Lung cancer is the majority regularly deadly cancer in the United States. Surrounded by all causes of mortality , lung cancer position second after heart disease especially for males, and third after heart and cerebrovascular disease for females. Since 2002 alone, larger than 150,000 people in the United States died of lung cancer.
The two main types of cancer lung are small cell and non small cell. The last mentioned covered nearly 80 % of people who suffered by lung cancer fatality.
Smoking or inhaling second hand smoke, environmental exposures such as asbestos and radon gas, and a family history of lung cancer increase the risk of an individual getting lung cancer. But, some lung cancers arise in the absence of these risk factors. About 25 percent of people with lung cancer report no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. A diagnosis of lung cancer is made on the basis of cell type, x-ray findings and symptoms. Treatment of lung cancer depends on the cell type and on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Survival rates depend on the type and stage of lung cancer at the time of diagnosis.
More and more often, I come across cases of nonsmokers who develop lung cancer. Among patients with lung cancer, only about 14% live five years after their diagnosis.
First, assess your risk for lung cancer; then take measures to prevent the disease.
What are the risk factors for lung cancer?
Gender: Unfortunately, women seem to be more vulnerable to lung cancer. A family history of lung cancer: Evidence suggests that there is a lung cancer gene which predisposes offspring to develop lung cancer. Scarring from previous lung disease: Scarring in lungs caused by tuberculosis or other lung disease can be a risk factor for lung cancer.
Second-hand smoke: Exposure to second-hand smoke has been shown to be a certain risk factor. Radon has been implicated as a potential cause of lung cancer.
Air pollution: Long-term occupational exposure to diesel exhaust fumes may increase lung cancer risk by 47%. Past Cancer Treatment: Researchers in Sweden who looked at the medical records of 140,000 breast cancer patients found that there was an increase of lung cancer 5 to 20 years after breast cancer treatment. Diet: An apple a day may keep lung cancer away. This study found that people who ate the most apples were 58 % less likely to develop lung cancer. Other studies suggest that lung cancer risk is lower among smokers and non smokers who ate at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits daily.
A Finnish study reported 18% more lung cancer cases among heavy smokers who took beta carotene supplements. And a National Cancer Study on the effects of vitamin A and beta carotene was halted because smoke risk lung cancer taking the supplements had 28% more lung cancer than those taking a placebo.
In one study, people taking 55-200 mcg of the mineral daily had a 46% lower rate of lung cancer.