November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to increasing awareness about lung cancer, its risk factors, early detection, and treatment options.
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death, claiming more lives each year than breast, prostate, ovarian, and kidney cancers combined.
Lung cancer is a kind of cancer that starts with the growth of cells in the lungs. It doesn’t usually cause symptoms early on; however, the symptoms of lung cancer occur when the disease is advanced. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer that happen in and around the lungs include:
- A new cough that doesn’t go away
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
In addition to the signs and symptoms of lung cancer in the lungs, some symptoms occur when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, including:
- Bone pain
- Headaches
- Losing weight without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling in the face or neck
Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs develop changes in their DNA. A cell’s DNA holds instructions that tell a cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions also tell the cells to die at a set time.
In cancer cells, DNA changes give different instructions. The changes tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can keep living when healthy cells die, causing too many cells.
Cancer cells might form a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body, causing metastatic cancer.
Smoking causes most lung cancer. It can cause lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers who have been exposed to secondhand smoke. However, people who have never smoked or been exposed to secondhand smoke can develop lung cancer.
Researchers believe smoking causes lung cancer by damaging the cells that line the lungs. Cigarette smoke contains cancer-causing substances known as carcinogens. When cigarette smoke is inhaled, carcinogens immediately cause changes in the lung tissue. The body may be able to repair the damage at first, but with each repeated exposure, healthy cells lining the lungs become more damaged. Over time, the damage causes cells to change, eventually developing into cancer.
Lung cancer is divided into two major types based on the appearance of cells under a microscope. The two general types of lung cancer include:
- Small-cell lung cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
A lung cancer diagnosis often starts with an imaging test to look at the lungs for signs of cancer before it develops. Other tests used to diagnose lung cancer include:
- Sputum cytology
- Biopsy
There are also additional tests that can be performed if a person is diagnosed with lung cancer to see if the cancer has spread. These tests allow a healthcare provider to know what stage the cancer is in. The stages of lung cancer range from 1 to 4. These staging tests often involve imaging tests such as an MRI, CT scan, bone scans, and a PET scan. If the cancer is in stage 1, the cancer is small and only in the lung. As cancer grows larger or spreads outside of the lungs, the numbers get higher. Stage 4 lung cancer means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment for lung cancer usually begins with surgery to remove the cancer. However, if the cancer is very large or has spread to other parts of the body, surgery may not be possible. As an alternative, treatment may start with medicine and radiation instead. A healthcare team will consider many factors when creating a treatment plan. These factors may include:
- Overall health
- The type and stage of cancer
- The patient’s preferences
Another type of treatment for lung cancer is palliative care. Palliative care specialists will work with the patient, their family, and healthcare team to provide extra support while the patient goes through their cancer treatment.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a sure way to prevent lung cancer. However, you can reduce your risk by not smoking or quitting smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, eating a diet of fruits and vegetables, and exercising most days of the week.
If you would like to learn more about lung cancer treatments, or to learn more about our cancer care program, you can schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center by calling (718) 206-6742.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.