Screening is done even before symptoms are visible, so as to catch the disease in its nascent stage. The sooner the cancer is detected, the better are the chances to treat the disease successfully

Lung Cancer is the leading cause for cancer related deaths worldwide. And while smoking increases risk of Lung cancer, non-smokers can develop lung cancer as well. Can Lung Cancer be prevented? Certain lifestyle changes can definitely improve one’s chances to steer away from Lung Cancer.

When cells begin to divide and multiply abnormally, it leads to the growth of a tumour. Lung Cancer begins in the lungs and can spread to nearby lymph nodes or to organs farther away, including the brain. Likewise, cancers originating in other organs can develop in the lung as well. The two most common types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Both grow differently and hence need to be treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is the more common of the two. Either way symptoms of cancer in the Lungs are barely perceptible. In most cases, symptoms are seen only after the disease has advanced.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer:

• – a persistent cough
• – coughing up blood
• – shortness of breath
• – chest pain/ bone pain/ headache
• – inexplicable weight loss

RISK FACTORS FOR LUNG CANCER

• SMOKING. This is by far the most common cause for at least 80% of all lung cancer cases. Smoking light cigarettes or menthol cigarettes has the same impact as a regular cigarette. Similarly cigar smoking and pipe smoking can also cause lung cancer.
• SECOND HAND SMOKE. Those who don’t smoke but spend much time in an environment of tobacco smoke, are just as likely to develop lung cancer as their smoking counterparts.
• FAMILY HISTORY. Having a close relative (parent, sibling, child) with lung cancer increased risk for the same.
• RADIATION EXPOSURE. Those who have received radiation therapy to the chest are at increased risk
• EXPOSURE TO RADON, ASBESTOS & OTHER CARCINOGENS.

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

Those who fall in the high risk category must be screened for lung cancer at the earliest. Screening is done even before symptoms are visible, so as to catch the disease in its nascent stage. The sooner the cancer is detected, the better are the chances to treat the disease successfully. The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT).

Lung Cancer Screening can be carried out for:

• Have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and
• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years, and
• Are between 50 and 80 years old.

LUNG CANCER PREVENTION

• QUIT SMOKING
• AVOID SECONDHAND SMOKE
• REDUCE EXPOSURE TO CARCINOGENS
• EAT A HEALTHY DIET
• AVOID A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE

Reviewed By:

DR.SIVAKUMAR.S

CONSULTANT – PULMONOLOGY

MBBS, MD (Respiratory Medicine), DNB (Pulmonary Medicine)