Lung Cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers in both men and women. Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs when cells in the body begin to grow out of control.
Even though it’s a common type of cancer, killing both men and women all over the world, people does not hold a good amount of knowledge on it. Lung cancer is not a commonly talked about cancer and people rarely seem to know about it. Learning anything extra about this Cancer can help you to understand better about the disease, its risk factors, and treatment of the disease.
Fact 1: Lung Cancer is the MOST COMMON Cancer in the World.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer globally. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon releases an annual report on worldwide cancer statistics. In 2018, there were 2.1 million new cases of lung cancer reported annually, affecting both males and females. Remarkably, lung cancer represents 1 in 10 new cancer diagnoses worldwide.
Fact 2: Lung Cancer is the DEADLIEST Cancer in the World.
Maximum number of deaths related to cancer worldwide can be attributed to Lung Cancer. It causes the most cancer deaths worldwide, accounting for 2.1 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths annually. And almost 2 out of every 10 cancer related deaths can be blamed on Lung Cancer.
Fact 3: Smoking is the Most Common Cause of this Cancer.
Smoking tobacco has found to be the most common cause of this cancer. About 80% of this cancer deaths are caused by smoking, and many others are caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking is clearly the strongest risk factor for it, but it often interacts with other factors. It is important to highlight that the population affected by smoking and lung cancer is the one in the productive age group of 18 to 65 and usual reasons of using tobacco are stress, peer pressure and lack of awareness. Former smokers are still at risk of developing this cancer, quitting smoking can lower the risk of lung cancer. As a matter of fact, within 10 years of quitting the risk of this cancer drops by half.
Fact 4: Increasing Incidence of Lung Cancer among Non-Smokers.
Recent trends have shown that incidence of this cancer is increasing among women and non-smokers. There are several risk factors for the development of lung cancer in non-smokers and some of these include; age, secondhand smoke, cooking fumes, radon, Hazardous Chemicals, environmental exposures, genetic factors, underlying lung disease, oncogenic viruses, and estrogens.
Fact 5: No Specific Symptoms or Signs.
The early symptoms may be a slight cough or shortness of breath, depending on which part of the lung is affected. As the cancer develops, these symptoms may become more severe or intense. Most lung cancers don’t cause symptoms until the disease has advanced, in part because the lungs have few nerve endings. When it does cause signs in its early stages, they may vary from person to person but commonly include:
- A new cough that is persistent or worsens, or a change in an existing chronic cough
- Cough that produces blood
- Pain in the chest, back or shoulders that worsens during coughing, laughing or deep breathing
- Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly and occurs during everyday activities
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling that you are tired or weak
- Loss of appetite
- Lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia that won’t go away
- Hoarseness or wheezing
Less common symptoms may include:
- Swelling in the face or neck
- Difficulty swallowing or pain while swallowing
- Changes in the appearance of fingers, called finger clubbing
Fact 6: Lung Cancer is MISDIAGNOSED as Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis has epidemic proportions and anybody with prolonged respiratory symptoms and shadows on chest xray if not properly evaluated is started on Antitubercular drugs. This line of treatment delays the diagnosis of this cancer and can lead to stage progression.
Fact 7: Majority of Lung Cancer is Diagnosed in ADVANCED STAGE (3/4)
It is not surprising that more than 80% of patients have advanced lung cancer on presentation. These usually include cancers in stage 3 when it is beyond surgery and stage 4 when it has spread to some other organs. Cancers diagnosed in stage 4 do not have potential for full cure but can be provided some control with chemotherapy and targeted drugs.
Fact 8: Screening with LOW DOSE CT scan can identify this cancer
The best way to treat this kind of cancer effectively is to identify it early stage and LOW DOSE CT scan has shown that it can pick up lung cancer early and reduce lung cancer deaths by as much as 20%. Low dose CT scan can be done on any routine CT scan machine and has one fifth of the radiation of that of a routine CT scan. It is advised to be done annually in high risk population of smokers between age 55 to 80.
Fact 9: MINIMAL ACCESS LUNG SURGERY allows pain free recovery
Early diagnosed cancer can be offered surgery by minimal access using video assisted thoracic surgery or by robotic surgery. These types of surgical approaches lead to less pain, lesser blood loss, early recovery and early return to work. Surgical removal of this cancer also provides the chance of complete cure of lung cancer.
Fact 10: TARGETED THERAPY for STAGE 4 Cancer is promising.
If you are diagnosed in stage 4, it’s necessary to introduce targeted therapy which allows minimal side effects and provides great survival advantage of as long as 2 years.
These 10 facts are just the starting points and the highlights of lung cancer. Protecting your lungs is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of lung cancer. Take necessary steps to protect your lungs from lung cancer all of the time.