About Lung Cancer: The Australian Lung Foundation chairman, thoracic physician Dr Bob Edwards says that lung cancer is a silent killer. Lung cancer may be virtually without symptoms until it’s reached advanced stage. Diagnosis of lung cancer to the victim feels like a death sentence and it drains the patient of all the courage and determination to deal with the disease.
Risk Factors of Lung Cancer: Approximately 90 percent of all Americans who are diagnosed with this type of cancer are have been smokers at some point o time in their lives or they still do.
People who have never smoked are very less likely to get affected with lung cancer. At the same time it is worth remembering that living with a smoker, working in a an environment full of smoke and being exposed to certain chemicals like, radon, asbestos, arsenic, or radioactive dust etc. increase this cancer risk.
According to American Cancer Society smoking and exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung cancer 50 to 90 times in an individual compared to someone who is a non-smoker and has not been exposed to asbestos ever.
Diagnosis: If you or someone you know has been in constant exposure to any of the above factors you must take advice of your doctor for a screening. It’s very likely that your doctor will do it to detect any signs of lung cancer early.
Doctors these days are screening people who they believe are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, with annual low-dose CT scans of the chest. It is an accepted practice as of now.
Symptoms: Do not ignore the following signs. They may be early symptoms and the earlier lung cancer is detected the better. The first and foremost sign being cold or chest infection that you cannot get rid of for a long span of time in spite of visiting the doctor and taking medication for it. Loss of appetite, coughing blood, heaviness in the chest, breathlessness, neck and facial swelling and joint pains.
A Million Dollar Advice: Quit smoking. At least try.
It will reduce your lung cancer risk as well as save your family from getting it. Family members of smokers suffer a lot of health problems like asthma and respiratory infection, which is caused by passive smoke.
