Lung cancer is associated with smoking. Patients do feel that they won’t get much support or help because they know that others think that their behaviour caused the disease. Most smokers do not develop lung cancer, and not all individuals diagnosed with lung cancer smoke. Lung cancer is a disease that can affect anyone. The majority who get lung cancer today have either stopped smoking years earlier or never smoked.
Lung cancer affects more than 2.1 million individuals world wide. Lung cancer is treatable, no matter the gravity or how far it has developed.
There are 2 main classifications of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These two types are treated differently.
SCLC begins when healthy cells in the lung change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor, a lesion,or a nodule. SCLC begins in the nerve cells or hormone-producing cells of the lung.The term “small cell” refers to the size and shape of the cancer cells as seen under a microscope.
NSCLC begins when healthy cells in the lung change and grow out of control, forming a tumor,a lesion,or a nodule. A lung tumor can begin anywhere in the lung. A tumor can be malignant or benign. Once a malignant lung tumor grows, it may shed cancer cells.These cells are carried away in the blood or float away in bodily fluid called lymph, that surrounds lung tissue.
Lymph flows through tubes called lymphatic vessels that drain into collecting stations called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are the tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight infection. They are located in the lungs, the center of the chest, and elsewhere in the body. The natural flow of lymph out of the lungs is within the chest's cavity, which explains why lung cancer often spreads there first. When a cancer cell moves into a lymph node or to a distant part of the body through the bloodstream and develops, it is called metastasis (development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer).
NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer.Lymph flows through tubes called lymphatic vessels that drain into collecting stations called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are the tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight infection. They are located in the lungs, the center of the chest, and elsewhere in the body. The natural flow of lymph out of the lungs is within the chest's cavity, which explains why lung cancer often spreads there first. When a cancer cell moves into a lymph node or to a distant part of the body through the bloodstream and develops, it is called metastasis (development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer).
Risk factors and prevention against developing SCLC and NSCLC include:
-Regular exposure to tobacco smoke and environmental (second hand) tobacco smoke increases a persons risk of lung cancer, so its best to avoid tobacco smoke.
-Asbestos (crystals found in many types of rocks) when inhaled irritates the lungs and are very dangerous and often lead to lung cancer especially for those working in the domain of ship building, asbestos mining and etc. So using protective breathing equipment reduces the risk.
-Exposure to radon an invisible odorless gas naturally released by some soil and rocks increases the risks of lung cancer. So homes and basements should be ventilated enough to reduce radon exposure.
Other substances: such as toxic gases or chemicals in the environment can increase an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. People exposed to cooking smoke from coal or wood might increase risk of lung cancer. Also,fumes from diesel and petrol combustion or from soldering metals could increase the risk of lung cancer. Other factors that may increase the risk of lung cancer include exposure to radiation,arsenic,nickel etc.
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