Lung cancer leading cause of cancer death, yet often preventable
Not only was November National Diabetes Month, but it was also Lung Cancer Awareness Month and National Hospice/ Palliative Care Month.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. It is estimated that smoking is the principle cause of about 90% of lung cancers in men and almost 80% in women.
Smoking also can contribute to cancer of the voice box (larynx), mouth and throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, and stomach, and acute myeloid leukemia.
It is important to remember that not all lung cancers are caused by smoking.
Sometimes, doctors don’t know why a person develops lung cancer.
But it is always helpful to eat a healthy diet, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, get plenty of rest, and exercise in order to give your body the best chance of coping with treatment.
In the United States in 2007 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), 109,643 men and 93,893 women were told they had lung cancer, and 88,329 men and 70,354 women died from it. There are two main types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
These names refer to how the cancers look under a microscope to a pathologist.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80% of lung cancers. There are different types of NSCLC, including:
• Squamous cell carcinoma (also called epidermoid carcinoma). This is the most common type of NSCLC. It forms in the lining of the bronchial tubes and is the most common type of lung cancer in men.
• Adenocarcinoma. This cancer is found in the glands of the lungs that produce mucus. This is the most common type of lung cancer in women and also among people who have not smoked.
• Bronchioalveolar carcinoma. This is a rare subset of adenocarcinoma. It forms near the lungs’ air sacs. Recent clinical research has shown that this type of cancer responds more effectively to the newer targeted therapies.
• Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma. This cancer forms near the surface, or outer edges, of the lungs. It can grow rapidly. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 20% of all lung cancers.
Although the cells are small, they multiply quickly and form large tumors that can spread throughout the body. Smoking is almost always the cause of SCLC.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include: a new cough that doesn’t go away, changes in a chronic cough or “smoker’s cough,” coughing up blood, even a small amount, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, hoarseness, lose of weight without trying, bone pain or headache.
Always remember that if you have anything that is “new” such as a cough or persistent pain, you should always have it checked out.
Regardless of the illness, the sooner it is caught, the sooner you can begin any type of treatment. Next week I will write about the invaluable services provided by Hospice.
