Lung cancer is a cancer that starts in the lungs. There are many causes, symptoms and treatment options of lung cancer, and one of the most predominant causes is smoking.
What Are The Causes of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer can be caused by many reasons here are some common ones:
Smoking: smoking has been linked with lung cancer for several decades now. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or any other forms of tobacco can cause the healthy cells in your lungs to turn into aggressive, malignant cancer cells. This is because of the carbon, tar and other residues that are deposited in the lung tissues which are toxic chemicals.
Asbestos Exposure: asbestos is a substance that is mostly found in construction materials like caulk, insulation, tiles, false ceilings and many more similar materials. Asbestos is linked with lung cancer and also mesothelioma, a malignant and often fatal form of lung cancer.
Exposure to Excessive Pollution: inhaling heavily polluted air is also linked with lung cancer.
Family History of Lung Cancer: a familial predisposition to lung cancer increases ones chances of getting lung cancer greatly.
Exposure to Cancer Causing Chemicals: exposure to cancer causing chemicals such as vinyl chloride, beryllium, mustard gas, coal products etcetera may also cause the development of lung cancer in some individuals.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer:
- Persistent cough
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing up blood
- Fatigue and getting easily tired
Treatment of Lung Cancer:
Lung cancer is a very difficult cancer to treat. Most of the time, if the disease is caught early, it can be treated, but if metastasis (spread to different organs) has occurred, the prognosis becomes very bleak. The treatment of lung cancer also depends upon the type of cancer, the age of the patient and the patient”s general health. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main lines of treatment of lung cancer along with surgery. Making changes to one”s lifestyle and stopping all unhealthy habits like smoking and consumption of alcohol can help greatly with alleviating the symptoms and also aids treatment.
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