Lung cancer tends to only show signs and symptoms in the advanced stages. Below are some of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Should you experience any of them, it is advisable to visit an doctor. The appropriate treatment including lung cancer radiation treatment can be recommended, depending on your condition.
Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. This is because cigarette smoke contains a wide variety of carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) that affect lung tissues when exposed over a long period of time. The lung cells become damaged and start to act abnormally, leading to potential lung cancer. Even non-smokers can develop lung cancer if they are exposed to smoke, asbestos and diesel exhaust. Lung cancer between smokers and non-smokers may differ. For non-smokers, the tumours develop in young people and have a different gene makeup than tumours found in smokers.
Doctors also theorise that inherited faulty DNA repair mechanisms can also lead to some NSCLCs. For instance, there are some people who are less able than others to break down or eliminate certain types of cancer-causing chemicals from the body, such as those found in tobacco smoke. This increases their risk for lung cancer and they may require lung cancer radiation treatment. Those whose DNA repair enzymes do not work normally may be especially vulnerable to cancer-causing chemicals and radiation as well.
Occasionally, lung cancer develops in people without known risk factors. It is possible that some of these are just random events with no outside cause, while others may be attributed to factors that are unknown to us.
Lung cancer risks are influenced by a number of factors. Identifying and understanding these factors can help us better look into prevention methods, thus, decreasing our overall risk. Below are some of the risks of lung cancer.
The risk of lung cancer can be decreased by not smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke exposure. Damaged lung tissues may gradually repair itself if a smoker quits before cancer develops. The sooner one quits smoking, the lower the risk of developing lung cancer. Taking precautions at work and wearing protective gear to prevent unnecessary exposure to workplace carcinogens help too.
No doubt, integrating healthier lifestyle choices reduces the risk of most cancers including lung cancer. One way to do this is to eat a healthy diet. Studies suggest that eating fruits and vegetables may help smokers and non-smokers prevent lung cancer. However, any positive effects from fruits and vegetables would pale in comparison with the increased risk associated with smoking. Smokers with lung cancer may require lung cancer radiation treatment based on their doctor’s recommendations.
Another way to live a healthier lifestyle is to exercise regularly. Even moderate amounts of exercise can aid in lung cancer prevention. Exercising regularly improves lung function, reduces carcinogens and enhances the body’s ability to repair damaged DNA in lung cells. The City of Hope National Medical Center in California conducted a review, revealing that routine physical activity can lower lung cancer risk by between 20% to 30% in women and between 20% and 50% in men.
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Lung cancer treatment varies from patient to patient depending on their condition. Treatment options include lung cancer radiation treatment, chemotherapy, surgery and targeted therapy. Ultimately it is advisable for lung cancer patients to consult their doctor to find a suitable lung cancer treatment option tailored to them.
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Lung cancer does not necessarily mean a death sentence. Early detection and treatment such as lung cancer radiation treatment may cure the disease.
There are several treatment options for lung cancer including lung cancer radiation treatment, chemotherapy and surgery. Ultimately, treatment success depends on your condition and what your doctor recommends.
The overall risk is low and only 8% of lung cancers run in families. Nevertheless, discussing your family history with your doctor is a good option for those with health concerns.
While surgery may work better for one patient, lung cancer radiation treatment may be more well-suited for another. It depends on the condition and what your doctor advises.
Finding out about cancer is never easy. It is recommended to talk to family and friends and lean on them for support. Alternatively, you can also talk to a therapist and remember to take care of your health by eating and sleeping well. It is also imperative to begin your lung cancer treatment promptly, as starting treatment early can improve your chances of recovery.
It takes most lung cancers between three and six months to double in size. Therefore, it could take several years before a lung cancer reaches a size where it can be detected by a chest X-ray.