CANCER OF THE LUNGS AND ITS PREVENTIONS

ABSTRACT

Cancer of the lungs has been one of the main causes of death recently, and still is, Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth can spread beyond the lung by the process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in the lung, known as primary lung cancers, are carcinomas. The two main types are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The most common symptoms are coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pains. The vast majority (85%) of cases of lung cancer are due to long-term tobacco smoking. About 10–15% of cases occur in people who have never smoked. These cases are often caused by a combination of genetic factors and exposure to radon gas, asbestos, second-hand smoke, or other forms of air pollution. Lung cancer may be seen on chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans. The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy which is usually performed by bronchoscope or CT-guidance. Smoking is the main culprit behind lung cancer, but non-smokers also can be susceptible to the deadly disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking is linked to 80% to 90% of lung cancers. That’s a huge number, but still, it begs the question of what accounts for the remaining cases. What are the additional risk factors besides tobacco, and just how high is your risk? In addition to smoking, here are five causes of lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Exposure to radon, Exposure to asbestos, Air pollution, Arsenic in drinking water, Radiation therapy to the chest.

You can help prevent or lower your risk of lung cancer in the following ways—

• Don’t smoke. Cigarette smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer deaths in the United States. The most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is to not start smoking, or to quit if you smoke.
• Avoid secondhand smoke. Smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is called secondhand smoke. Make your home and car smoke-free.
• Get your home tested for radon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that all homes be tested for radon.
• Be careful at work. Health and safety guidelines in the workplace can help workers avoid carcinogens—things that can cause cancer.