Just the Facts on Lung Cancer

Posted November 15, 2009, 12:31 pm in Cancer

Quick – what’s the number one cancer killer in the United States?

If you said breast cancer, you wouldn’t be alone. But you wouldn’t be right either.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women killing more people than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined. This year, it is estimated more than 17,500 people in Florida will be diagnosed with lung cancer. And more than 12,000 will die from this disease this year.

There is hope – your chance of getting the disease can decrease once you make some lifestyle changes and quit smoking. “Early detection is extremely important in the treatment of lung cancer but only 16 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed at an early stage,” said Jennifer Tseng, MD, medical oncology leader for M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando’s Thoracic/Head and Neck Cancer Department. “This may be because symptoms of lung cancer are often mistaken for less serious conditions, or may often take years to appear."

Symptoms of lung cancer vary from person to person. Many of these symptoms are not cancer, but if you notice one or more of them for more than two weeks, see your doctor:

   •   A cough that will not go away and gets worse over time
   •   Constant chest pain, or arm and shoulder pain
   •   Coughing up blood
   •   Shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness
   •   Repeated episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis
   •   Swelling of the neck and face
   •   Loss of appetite or weight loss
   •   Fatigue
   •   Clubbing of fingers

Many risk factors may influence the development of lung cancer, including:

   •   Smoking This is the most important risk factor. Also at higher risk are individuals who smoke cigars and pipes.
   •   Family History Research is beginning to show that a family history of lung cancer may be a risk factor.
   •   Personal History A person with a previous lung cancer diagnosis is more likely to develop a second lung cancer.
   •   Work or Environment Exposure People who are regularly exposed to radon or asbestos are at a higher risk for developing       lung cancer, especially smokers.
   •   Radiation Exposure People who are regularly exposed to radiation from their job, medical and environmental sources are at a higher risk for developing lung cancer.
   •   Second-hand Tobacco Smoke People who live with smokers are at a higher risk. People who are around smoke regularly are also at a high risk.
   •   Lung Diseases People with lung diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) are at higher risk.

Cancer screenings are medical tests that are performed when a person has no symptoms. There are no effective screenings available to find lung cancer early. Laboratory study, X-rays of cells in the phlegm (spit) and fiber optic screens are limited in detecting lung cancer before it spreads.

You can take action to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer. M. D. Anderson – Orlando suggests:

   •   Eliminate tobacco use.
   •   Use protective equipment around dangerous substances and pollutants.
   •   Avoid second-hand smoke.

Editors Note: This information was provided by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - Orlando. For more information,
please click here.