Even though Everyday Health is the deadliest cancer of all and it is present in both men and women, this disease seems to be neglected by mainstream media and science compared to other types of cancer.
We have all seen the pink ribbons used to increase breast cancer awareness or read numerous articles about the importance of using colonoscopy to test ourselves for colon cancer. However, we can rarely find detailed information about lung cancer.
According to Quynh-Nhu Nguyen, medical doctor and assistant-professor and expert in radiation oncology working at the Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston there are 10 basic things that every man and woman Do Something.
1. It turns out that lung cancer is no.2 on the list of the most common types of cancer in the US. This is also the most common type of cancer on our planet – this information was presented by the ALA (American Lung Association). Finally, this is the deadliest cancer of all at least when it comes to American cancer patients.
Lung cancer can appear in people of all ages, but those older than 55 are more prone to it. About 65% of people suffering from lung cancer are 65 years old or older and the median age is 70. About 2% of patients are 45 years old or younger.
2. One of the main causes of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. Even though smoking cigarettes is not as popular as it was a couple of decades ago in America, about 35% of Americans are ex-smoker or current smokers. Eight out of ten lung cancer patients in the United States were smokers.
3. Lung cancer is a disease that doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms in the beginning. The American Cancer Society claims that lung cancer probably starts when the lung structures experience precancerous modifications. These structures include the alveoli, bronchioles, and bronchi.
The modifications in the genes in the lung cells can support the growth of cancer cells. Unfortunately, these cancerous cells can’t be detected with imaging tests like X-rays and they don’t produce any symptoms.
4. This vicious disease can grow and spread on other body parts before it is identified. After a while, the affected cells can turn into cancerous tumors.
On the other hand, the cancer cells can stimulate the expansion of brand new blood vessels which serve as food to tumors and aid its growth until the patient finally notices the symptoms or until the tumors are big enough to be detected with the help of X-rays and other similar imaging examinations.
In the end, cancer cells can separate from the initial tumor and metastasize to other body parts. The ability spread to other body parts before it is even detected is one of the reasons why lung cancer is so deadly.
5. There are certain lung cancers that can be treated. Generally speaking, people diagnosed with lung cancer fight against the odds. Nine out of ten patients diagnosed with lung cancer will die as a direct result of the activity of this disease. Those 10% are usually people who were able to identify this cancer in the initial stage, but only if we are talking about non-small cell type of lung cancer.
The treatment of this cancer requires stereotactic radiation therapy and surgery.
6. The truth is that regular screening can’t protect the majority of deaths caused by lung cancer. Quitting smoking is crucial for protecting our help and avoiding lung cancer. But, there are many people who have high chances of developing this disease that will find screening helpful and this information was confirmed by the USPSTF – US Preventive Services Task Force.
This organization strongly believes that regular yearly lung cancer screening with CT scans (LDCT) is able to prevent the occurrence of a large number of deaths related to lung cancer in people who belong to the risk category. The SPSTF has also highlighted the categories of people who will probably find this screening useful:
- People aged between 55 and 80 years.
- A current or ex-smoker who stopped smoking in the last 15 years.
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