Lung Cancer 101
Don’t smoke? That’s great – for you and your loved ones. But you should still know about lung cancer because smoking isn’t the only thing that causes it.
Even if you’ve never smoked in your life, it doesn’t mean you are entirely immune to developing lung cancer. The best way to beat any disease is to prevent it by learning about the risk factors and taking measures against them. The second best way is to know the symptoms so you can act early in seeking medical help if they occur. Because when it comes to cancer, an early diagnosis means higher chances of recovery.
In this post, we discuss the risk factors, symptoms and some ways to prevent lung cancer. Also, we tell you how you can take part in our Quit Smoking Challenge this November.
Did you know?
Forget all the myths. Here are some tested and proven facts about lung cancer, straight from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital specialists, that may surprise you.
Lung cancer develops in women at an earlier age than it does in men. Does this mean men are more hard-wearing? Perhaps. Studies have shown that the age of lung cancer onset in females, is lower than that seen in males. They’ve also proven that women are more susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco.
More male lung cancer patients are smokers than female lung cancer patients. What does that mean? It means smoking is more often the cause of lung cancer in male patients diagnosed with the disease, but this isn’t the case with females. So, if lung cancer patients who are female aren’t even smokers, what causes their disease? Read on to find out.
Risk Factors
It is true that lung cancer occurs most in smokers, and that the risk of getting lung cancer increases with the length of time and number of cigarettes you have smoked. But lung cancer can occur even in people who have never smoked in their lives! Here are all the primary risk factors of lung cancer:
- Smoking
- Exposure to second-hand smoke for a prolonged period
- Exposure to asbestos and similar carcinogens
- Exposure to radon gas
- Having a family history of lung cancer
With exposure to second-hand smoke featuring second on that list, there is an important message here for smokers: you are putting your loved ones at risk, who are as likely to develop lung cancer even if they don’t smoke.
Symptoms
In its early stages, lung cancer doesn’t typically show obvious signs and symptoms. These usually occur only when the disease is advanced, and they can often be mistaken for a bad cold or flu. They include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Hoarseness
- A cough that doesn’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Unexplained weight loss
- Headaches
- Bone pain
If you have any persistent signs from the list above, or if you are concerned about something being out of the ordinary for your body, please see your doctor.
Prevention
There is no sure-fire way to prevent lung cancer, but you can certainly reduce the risks. Here are some of the ways:
Don’t Smoke – If you aren’t a smoker, this is great. Protect your children and other young people in your family from lung cancer by speaking to them early on about the dangers of smoking.
Quit Smoking – It’s never too late to stop smoking. Even if you’ve smoked for years, quitting now can reduce your risk of lung cancer. If you find it difficult, talk to your doctor about ways and aids to help you break the habit. Here are some NHS resources you may find helpful.
Avoid Second-Hand Smoke – Ever since the UK’s smoking ban in enclosed public spaces, it’s now easier to avoid inhaling second-hand smoke. Still, stay away from smokers and urge members of your family or friends who smoke to quit smoking or only smoke outside the house.
Test your Home for Radon – Radon is a colourless, odourless gas produced by the radioactive breakdown of small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in soil and rock. You can find out more about how to measure radon in your home and how to reduce high levels through simple building works at UKRadon.
Avoid Exposure to Asbestos and Other Carcinogens – If your work involves exposure to such chemicals, take care to reduce your exposure to them. Always wear face masks and protective gear, and follow employer precautionary procedures to a T.
Eat Lots of Fruit and Veg – Maintaining a healthy diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Choose a diet rich in antioxidants such as selenium, beta carotene and vitamins C and E. These can protect against oxidants which lead to cell damage. Eating yoghurt can also help as some studies show that bacteria used in the production of lactic acid inactivate carcinogens.
Exercise Regularly – Exercise helps maintain healthy hormone levels, decreases inflammation, improves immune function and contributes to higher levels of natural antioxidants. It also reduces other factors that can contribute to the growth of cancer.
Get Involved this Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Did you find this post helpful? Why not help us raise awareness this Lung Cancer Awareness month? Here are some ways:
Take the challenge! If you smoke, sign up for our Quit Smoking Challenge this November. Depending on how confident you are, sign up for a day, a week, 10 days or the whole month! Get friends and family to sponsor your efforts and raise funds for lung cancer patients in Pakistan. Share your quit-smoking moments with us by using #quitsmokingchallenge. Give us a call to sign up today: 01274 424 444.
Share this post! Protect your family and friends by telling them about it or post this and our other lung cancer awareness resources on Facebook and Twitter. You could be two clicks away from saving someone’s life.
Do you or does someone you know want to quit smoking? Help is available.
Consult your physician or GP who will be able to advise you about nicotine products which can suppress withdrawal symptoms.
For more information about lung cancer and its risks, download the Shaukat Khanum Hospital Lung Cancer Information leaflet.
You may also find the NHS quit smoking app and other resources useful, available here.