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Currently lung cancer causes most cancer-related deaths all over the world. The increase in lung cancer cases has been steep since the advertising for cigarettes increased in the mid 1900. Once it became cool to smoke, more people were diagnosed with different types of lung cancer. Lung cancer is primarily caused from smoking cigarettes. The cigarettes leave a harmful residue of nicotine and tar in the lungs. Over a long term, this residue causes a lot of irreparable harm and can cause cancer.

Lung cancer is two kinds, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The former type tends to be very prolific but is not that common while the other type of cancer does not spread as fast but it more common.

There are typically 20 different kinds of tumours that can originate in the lungs (that include the bronchi, the trachea, the lung sacs, the lymph nodes and even parts of the spine)

Causes

• The main cause of both SCLC and NSCLC is smoking. A woman who is a smoker is more prone to lung cancer.
• Exposure to elements like radon and metals like asbestos on a daily basis also makes it easier to get lung cancer.
• Second hand smoke is also a major cause for lung cancer.
• People who have had lung infections like tuberculosis are prone to getting lung cancer, especially if that have a high fat/rich in cholesterol diet.

Symptoms

Typical symptoms of lung cancer are

• Cough that doesn't go away
• Bloody sputum
• Recurring bronchial infections like pneumonia or bronchitis
• Hoarseness
• Swelling
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fever, body pain, and headaches
• Difficulty swallowing food

Depending on the stage of the cancer, the symptoms could vary. Sometimes if the cancer has metastasised then there could be other symptoms of cancer affecting different organs. Typically in the early stages of lung cancer, there are hardly any symptoms.

Effects

Any form of cancer typically has a profound and deep effect on the patient. Not only does lung cancer have an effect on the lungs, but also on the life of person.

Typically the treatment of lung cancer depends on the stage at which the discovery was made. Chemotherapy and radiation is used to treat cancer. These treatments can have a very dire effect on the body.

Chemotherapy and radiation can cause acute physical changes in the body

• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches

Along with physical changes that the treatments cause, cancer, on its own, tends to have a debilitating effect. You can use the support of different forums to deal with the various emotional upheavals like shock, anger, sadness, grief, and fear.

Chances

When one says cancer, the word itself tends to indicate imminent death. In today's age, with advances in medical technology, not all cancer diagnosis means death. In the case of lung cancer, it cannot be actually cured. SCLC is actually not common but very prolific. In case the patient is diagnosed with this type of cancer, complete recovery is rare. Though chemotherapy is used, it cannot improve the chances of survival if you have SCLC. On the other hand, NSCLC, if detected in time, can be completely removed and the patient can get up 5-8 years more of life. In fact stage 0 or stage I NSCLC can be completed gotten rid off.

Prevention goes a long way for lung cancer. It's advisable to quit smoking and not be around second hand smoke.

Reference

• http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lung-cancer-000027.htm
• http://lungcancer.ucla.edu/

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