Lung Cancer

What is it?

Lung Cancer is a malignant cancer (Which means spreading). This cancer forms tumours on the lung’s tissue. If untreated, these tumours will spread to other parts of the respiratory system, and eventually lead to death.

Lung Cancer comes in two types. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Small Lung cancer, with non-small cell Lung cancer being the more common kind.

Causes

There are many causes of Lung cancer, with the largest contributor being smoking cigarettes. When smoking over 70 carcinogens are being inhaled when smoking. Second hand smoking does lead to Lung cancer, but it takes a lot longer since it’s not as direct.

Exposure to high levels of Radon, is another high contributor of lung cancer. Radon is a naturally occurring colourless, odourless, tasteless, quickly decaying gas. It’s rapid rate of decay results in it giving off tiny radioactive particles. These radioactive particles damage the cells lining the cell, which will eventually lead to lung cancer.

While it is not a direct cause of Lung cancer, HIV has been shown to largely increase the chance of Lung cancer.

Age is also a risk factor most diagnosed age group for cancer are those over 60

Family history is another risk father because those with a history of lung cancer are more likely to get it over the course of their lives.

Signs and Symptoms

Common signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer include

- A persistent cough

- An irregular cough, which can range from the cough becoming deeper to coughing up blood or more mucus than usual.

- Irregular changes to breathing. Shortened breaths and a heightened susceptibility to becoming winded are symptoms which are caused by the lung cancer blocking/ narrowing the airway or a fluid from the tumour building up in the chest.

- Chest pains, wheezing and a raspy voice are also signs

Some more serious symptoms include:

- A drop-in weight, Constant headaches and bone pains. Unfortunately, when these symptoms are present, the Cancer has spread and more drastic actions need to be taken.

Diagnosis

Two methods of diagnosing Lung Cancer.

- Biopsy, which is when a sample of lung tissue is taken and examined under a microscope. The examiner will search the cells of the tissue for both tumours, which are clusters of cancer, and other irregularities in the tissue.

- Sputum cytology. This is where a sample of sputum (Mucus) is examined under a microscope to determine if there are any abnormal