Lung cancer, according to the WHO, is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, making it a very worrying disease. Furthermore, the mortality rate of this pathology is the highest regardless of gender, that is, in both men and women.
On the other hand, the same entity explained that people suffer from this disease mainly from smoking. In fact, smoking causes almost 85% of all cases. This occurs despite the various alerts that health experts have issued and the recommendations made to patients.
Due to the characteristics of cancer, it is quite common to diagnose it when the pathology is in an advanced stage. Thus, treatment options are quite limited for patients.
Given this panorama, concern about this disease is quite high. This is why citizens are often recommended to avoid actions such as smoking.
How does lung cancer manifest?
The way to identify that you are experiencing this disease is to be aware of the symptoms. Therefore, if you have any symptoms, you should visit the doctor so that different studies can be carried out to corroborate the presence of the disease.
In this regard, the Mayo Clinic warned that this disease is not easy to identify, so making frequent visits to the doctor is recommended. “Lung cancer generally does not produce signs or symptoms in the early stages. “The signs and symptoms of lung cancer usually appear when the disease is advanced.”
These are the symptoms of lung cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- A recent cough that won’t go away
- Coughing up blood, even small amounts
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Hoarseness
- Weight loss without trying
- Bone-ache
- Headache
What are the causes of lung cancer?
While it is true that having healthy habits such as eating well or exercising helps prevent different types of cancer and diseases, each pathology has different causes. Thus, it is important to be alert to the following causes:
- Smoke
- Being exposed to cigarette smoke frequently
- Substances in the environment
In addition, you must be aware of the risk factors, since these considerably increase the possibility of suffering from lung cancer. This is how the Mayo Clinic explained: “There are several factors that can increase the risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, for example, quitting smoking. However, other factors cannot be controlled, such as family history.”
This is the list of risk factors, according to the medical center:
Smoking, as it increases the risk of having lung cancer. However, the more cigarettes you smoke per day and per year, the risk increases. “Quitting smoking at any age can greatly reduce the risk of having lung cancer.”
Additionally, prior radiation therapy may increase the chance of having the disease. However, the risk is present when radiotherapy has been performed in the chest for another type of cancer.
Having been exposed to radon gas. This appears due to the natural decomposition of uranium that is present in the soil, as well as in rocks and water. When these are broken down, this substance “becomes part of the air you breathe. “Dangerous levels of radon can build up in any building, even homes.”
A well-known risk factor in Colombia is exposure to asbestos, as well as other carcinogenic substances. This occurs especially in asbestos work environments. Other substances are arsenic, chromium and nickel. If you are a smoker, the risk is greater.
On the other hand, having a family history increases the chances, just as with any other type of cancer.
