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A Glimpse of Lung Cancer

- 11:31 PM
Lung cancer is one of the major causes of human death of both men and women. Although this condition is rare, but the danger still will always threaten. Before many brands of cigarettes that are scattered on the earth, the incidence of lung cancer is quite rare and infrequent. Today, smoking has caused nearly 9 out of 10 deaths from lung cancer. While pollution, radon gas, and exposure to other chemicals only play a smaller role. A number of drugs have been developed to provide new hope for those who are diagnosed with lung cancer.

How smoking can cause lung cancer?

Cigarettes are not only packed with cancer-causing chemicals, but also can attack the natural defense system of the lungs, known as cilia. Cilia are air ducts are coated with fine hairs. The feathers have a role in protecting the lungs by sweeping toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Tobacco smoke can paralyze cilia, making it unable to do his job well. This will lead to the accumulation of carcinogens (cancer causing substances) in the lungs.

Symptom

Lung cancer begins in stealth mode. Usually there are no symptoms or warning signs in the early stages. Because of that, the symptoms of lung cancer are usually not specific, but that is often encountered are as follows:

  • A cough that does not go away
  • Chest pain, especially when breathing deeply 
  • Hard to breathe
  • Coughing up phlegm with blood
  • Fatigue 
Diagnose


In most cases, lung cancer is not suspected to cause symptoms such as chronic cough or wheezing (difficulty breathing). At that time, the doctor will likely perform the process in a chest X-ray. The doctor usually will also ask patients to test sputum (sputum). If one of these tests indicate the presence of cancer, most likely the patient will undergo a biopsy (removal of tissue of the body that aims to laboratory examination).

Lung Biopsy Results

If the tumor is suspected to have been seen on X-ray (X-ray), or cancer cells appear in the sputum tests, then a biopsy is used to diagnose the disease. The pathologist examines a small sample that has been suspected as a tumor through a microscope. By examining this sample, the pathologist can determine whether the tumor is lung cancer or not.

Type of Lung Cancer

There are two main types of lung cancer are distinguished from forms of cancer cells examined through a microscope, namely small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Carcinoma small cell lung (SCLC) is the most aggressive and can spread rapidly to other parts of the body. It is strongly associated with smoking, and rarely occurs in people who never smoked. While lung carcinoma non-small cell (NSCLC) are known to be slow its spread and common, approximately 90 percent of all lung cancer cases.

Stage Lung Cancer

Stage or level is used to describe how far a patient's cancer has spread. There are different systems for the two main types of lung cancer. Lung cancer, small cell lung (SCLC) is divided into two levels namely: Limited (Limited), means the cancer is limited to one lung and possibly close to the lymph nodes. The second is the area (Extensive), means that the cancer has spread to the other lung or outside it. As for lung cancer non-small cell given level (stage) of one to four, depending on how far it has spread.

Figures Survival of Lung Cancer Patients

The survival rate of patients with lung cancer depends on the stage of diagnosis. The possibility of patients live at least five years after diagnosis ranged from 1% to 49% for patients with lung cancer non-small cell. However, the treatment of this cancer has progressed well over the past decade, so prospects for the future will also be better.

Treating lung cancer early stage

When non-small cell lung cancer has been detected before it has spread to more than one lung, surgery can usually be a cure. The surgeon can remove part of the lung containing the tumor, or if necessary, entirely. Some patients are given radiotherapy and or chemotherapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells remaining. Surgery is usually not an option for cancer patients with small cell lung because it usually has spread at the time of diagnosis.
   
Treating lung cancer is advanced

When lung cancer is too difficult to be cured, treatment can still help patients live longer and maintain a better quality of life. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can shrink tumors and help control symptoms such as bone pain or blockage of the airways. Chemotherapy is usually the main treatment for lung cancer small cell.

Life after diagnosis

Was diagnosed with lung cancer is very surprising, and if it is associated with smoking, there must be a feeling of guilt as well. But now is not the time to blame yourself. Instead, experts advise to look forward. Not too late to make healthy lifestyle changes. There is evidence that patients who quit smoking after knowing they suffer from lung cancer experienced a change in conditions better than those who continued to smoke.

Lung cancer and passive smoking

Lung cancer is not only caused by smoking alone. Frequent inhalation of cigarette smoke in the home or public places can also be affected. Passive smokers can also develop the risk of lung cancer by 30 percent compared with people who rarely affected by exposure or inhalation of cigarette smoke.


Lung cancer and certain jobs
Certain jobs may also increase the risk of lung cancer both in smokers or not. People who daily work with uranium, arsenic, and other industrial chemicals should limit itself to exposure to these materials. Asbestos is also an industrial material that can cause lung cancer.
Lung cancer and air pollutionAir pollution can also contribute to increased risk of lung cancer. Experts believe that the air pollution comes from motor vehicles, factories, and power plants can affect the risk of lung cancer the same way like smoke. Around the world, air pollution is estimated to have caused about 5% of deaths from lung cancer.
Other risk factors
Other factors that may influence the occurrence of lung cancer is a family history who have had lung cancer. Additionally, the high drinking water arsenic can also cause risk of lung cancer.
Prevention
Lung cancer may be one of the most deadly forms of cancer, but also one of the most preventable. The trick is to not smoke. And if you are a smoker, then immediately quit smoking. Within five years of quitting, the risk of death from lung cancer will drop to half of those who smoke as much as a pack a day. And 10 years after quitting, the risk of death from lung cancer will be almost the same as those who never smoked.
 
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