Lung Cancer

Symptoms

In its early stages, lung cancer often exhibits no signs or symptoms. Lung cancer signs and symptoms often appear when the condition is advanced.

Lung cancer symptoms and signs may include:

Whenever to visit a doctor

If you are concerned about any persistent signs or symptoms, schedule a visit with your doctor.

Make an appointment with your physician if you smoke and have tried unsuccessfully to stop. Your doctor may suggest methods to help you stop smoking, including counselling, drugs, and nicotine replacement aids.

Causes

The majority of lung cancers are caused by smoking, in both smokers and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke. However, nonsmokers and those who have never been exposed to secondhand smoke for an extended period of time are also susceptible to lung cancer. There may not be a definite aetiology of lung cancer in certain situations.

How lung cancer is brought on by smoking

The lungs' lining cells are thought to be harmed by smoking, according to doctors. Changes in the lung tissue start to occur practically immediately after inhaling cigarette smoke, which is rich in cancer-causing agents (carcinogens).

At initially, this damage can be repairable by your body. But your lungs' normal cells suffer increasing damage with each subsequent exposure. Cells start to behave abnormally as a result of the damage over time, and cancer may eventually manifest.

Variations of lung cancer

Based on how lung cancer cells appear when examined under a microscope, doctors categorise the disease into two main categories. Based on the primary lung cancer kind you have, your doctor will decide how to treat you.

Lung cancer can be of two main types:

Pulmonary small cell carcinoma. Less frequently diagnosed than non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer almost exclusively affects heavy smokers.

A non-small cell lung cancer. A broad phrase used to describe a variety of lung tumours is "non-small cell lung cancer." Large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma are all examples of non-small cell lung malignancies..

Danger signs

Your risk of lung cancer could be impacted by a variety of variables. For example, giving up smoking is one way to reduce some risk factors. And some things, like your family history, are beyond your control. 

 Lung cancer risk factors include:

Cigarettes. The quantity of cigarettes you smoke each day and the length of time you have been smoking both raise your risk of developing lung cancer. You can dramatically reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting at any age

Being around smoke among others. Even if you don't smoke, being around secondhand smoke raises your risk of developing lung cancer

Radiation therapy in the past. You may be at a higher risk of developing lung cancer if you've had chest radiation therapy for another type of cancer

Being exposed to radon. The natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water results in the production of radon, which eventually finds its way into the air you breathe. Radon can build up to unsafe levels in any structure, including dwellings

Being exposed to toxins like asbestos. Your chance of developing lung cancer can increase if you work with asbestos and other cancer-causing agents including arsenic, chromium, and nickel, especially if you smoke

Lung cancer in the family. Lung cancer risk is higher in people who have a parent, sibling, or child who has the disease

Complications

Complications from lung cancer include:

Shortness of breath: Lung cancer patients may have this symptom if the disease progresses to the point where it blocks the main airways. Another side effect of lung cancer is fluid buildup around the lungs, which makes it more difficult for the lung that is affected to fully inflate during inhalation

Coughing up blood: Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, is a symptom of lung cancer, which can also cause airway bleeding. Occasionally, bleeding can get really bad. Bleeding control measures are available

Pain: Severe lung cancer that has progressed to the lining of the lung or to another part of the body, including the bone, can be excruciatingly painful. In order to control pain, there are several therapies available, so let your doctor know if you feel any

Fluid in the chest (pleural effusion): Lung cancer patients may have an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which surrounds the damaged lung in the chest cavity

Breathing difficulties may result from fluid buildup in the chest. There are ways to drain the fluid from your chest and lower your chance of developing pleural effusion once more.

Cancer that metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body): Lung cancer frequently metastasizes (spreads to other regions of the body) to the brain and bones

Depending on the organ involved, cancer that spreads can result in discomfort, motion sickness, headaches, or other signs and symptoms. Lung cancer is typically incurable once it has left the lungs. There are treatments that lessen the symptoms and help you live longer.

For recurrent pneumothorax, abrading the pleural surface may be necessary to achieve adhesion of the lung to the chest wall.

Prevention

Lung cancer cannot be completely avoided, but there are ways to lower your risk, including

Don't start smoking if you haven't already. To help them understand how to avoid this important lung cancer risk factor, talk to your kids about quitting smoking. Have early discussions with your kids on the risks of smoking to help them prepare for peer pressure

Give up smoking: Do so immediately. Even if you've smoked for a long time, giving up lowers your risk of developing lung cancer. Consult your doctor about methods and cessation aids that can help you stop smoking. Medicines, support groups, and nicotine replacement therapies are available options

Prevent exposure to secondhand smoke: If you live or work with a smoker, encourage them to stop. Ask them to smoke outside, at the very least. Don't go to places where people smoke, including pubs and restaurants, and look for smoke-free places to go instead

Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables: Opt for a balanced diet that includes a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Vitamins and nutrients are best obtained from food sources. Vitamins taken as pills should not be used in high dosages since they may be dangerous. For instance, researchers offered beta carotene supplements to heavy smokers in an effort to lower their risk of lung cancer. According to the findings, supplements really raised smokers' risk of developing cancer

Workout most days of the week : Start off slowly if you don't routinely exercise. On most days of the week, try to exercise