Lung cancer is a severe medical condition that can result in death and comes with chest pain and shortness of breath. This article discusses three factors that can result in this health issue.
Tobacco Smoke
Smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, responsible for approximately 80% of lung cancer deaths. This number is higher for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) because it’s rare to have the condition without smoking.
Similar to cigarette smoking, pipe smoking, and cigar smoking can also cause lung cancer.
Menthol cigarettes might also increase this risk because menthol allows smokers to inhale more.
Radon Exposure
Radon is a natural radioactive gas created by breaking down the uranium in rocks and soil.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, this is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States. It’s also the leading cause of cancer in people who don’t smoke.
Asbestos Poisoning
Exposure to large amounts of asbestos puts you at risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma. Government regulations have restricted the use of asbestos in commercial and industrial products.
However, asbestos is still present in many homes and buildings. That said, it’s not harmful so long as it’s not released into the air through demolition, deterioration, or renovation.
Prevention
The best preventive measure for lung cancer is to avoid smoking tobacco. You should also avoid these risk factors:
● Secondhand smoke
● Workplace hazards like chemicals and asbestos
● Air pollution
Lung cancer prevention includes primary and secondary prevention measures. Primary prevention involves stopping the disease from happening through risk reduction and encouraging healthy behavior. According to the World Health Organization, these measures include avoiding smoking, implementing tobacco control policies, and reducing air pollution levels.
On the other hand, secondary prevention involves screening methods that detect lung cancer in its early stages. This can increase the possibility of successful treatment and recovery.
Treatment and Care
Lung cancer treatments depend on the type of cancer, how much it has spread, and the person’s medical history. These treatments include:
● Surgery
● Chemotherapy
● Targeted therapy
● Radiotherapy
● Immunotherapy
Surgery is majorly used in the early stages of lung cancer if the tumor hasn’t spread to other areas of the body. Alternatively, chemotherapy and radiation can be used to shrink the tumor.
Conclusion
Lung cancer can be caused by tobacco smoke, radon exposure, and asbestos poisoning. This can be prevented by not smoking, reducing air pollution, and avoiding workplace hazards like asbestos.
