Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer

Cancer is a condition where cells grow abnormally, also known as malignancy. Generally, there are over one hundred types of cancer in the world, among them, skin cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Notably, malignancy symptoms diversify based on the type. Besides, treatment may comprise surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. For thousands of years, scientists have regarded cancer as a human ailment. However, in the past century, medical experts understood the disease and how it develops. Cancer consultants, known as oncologists, have made impressive developments in malignancy diagnosis, control, and therapy (Reedy et al., 2020). Currently, more cancer patients are living longer compared to the past. Nonetheless, some patterns of the disease remain challenging to treat. Luckily, contemporary treatment can compellingly enhance the quality of life and can increase survival. Remarkably, lung cancer is one of the most severe types of malignancy that results in a high percentage of cancer deaths globally.

Often but not regularly, lung cancer relates to smoking. When an individual who has smoked tobacco, their whole life ends up with lung cancer, it is a dreadful situation. Research shows that cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, accounting for up to 90% of the disease. Additionally, lung cancer from secondary smokers results in the death of approximately seven thousand and three hundred non-smokers annually (Latimer & Mott, 2015). Therefore, it is indisputable that one can acquire lung cancer without getting hold of a cigarette at all. One can be the embodiment of a healthy individual who never smokes, works out daily, and consumes healthy food, and still get the disease. Often, some people confront cigarette smokers, thinking that tobacco is the only cause of lung cancer. Although it is crucial to avoid cigarette smoke, by all means, it is more important to understand various causes of lung cancer to avoid becoming a victim.

Apart from cigarette smoking, inhaling harmful gasses also causes lung cancer. For example, according to Risher (2020), radon gas causes approximately twenty thousand cases of lung cancer yearly, making it the dominant source of the disease in non-smokers in America. Often, radon gas occurs naturally indoors or in the external environment, such as homes, and different structures due to soil minerals. Inhalation of the gas results in cell damage, especially along airways, accelerating the risk of lung cancer. Notably, there are low levels of radon gas outdoors, although escalated levels are present in areas with low ventilation like underground mines. Risher (2020) says that the severity of the poisonous gas was first suspected when cases of lung cancer mortalities rose among uranium excavators. Later, research studies using animals indicated an interaction between a high prevalence of lung malignancy and tremendous radon gas vulnerability levels. Therefore, it is indisputable that radon gas is a significant cause of lung cancer, and the relevant authorities must sensitize citizens about the toxic gas and also educate them on how to test for its presence.

While the body requires some heavy metals like selenium and zinc in little amounts, some hazardous metals can pile up in large quantities and result in health complications. The chemicals may get into the body through adulterated drinking water or inhalation and are absorbed faster than can be excreted. Over the years, toxic metals have been acknowledged to cause lung cancer and other types of malignancies (Risher, 2020). The disease results from metals sticking to an individual’s DNA and tampering with the cell duplication process and eventually causing deviations that lead to malignancy. The metals could also result in air pollution, which mostly affects the lungs.  People living in industrialized areas are more exposed to air pollution and thus more prone to getting lung cancer. Therefore, people must find ways to reduce pollution, especially in the atmosphere, to ensure they inhale clean air free from toxic substances.

Typically, symptoms of lung cancer do not show in its earliest stages. Instead, the signs occur during advanced forms. The manifestations include chest pain, persistent headache, weight loss, and persistent coughing. It is advisable to consult a physician if the signs persist. Besides, if an individual smoke and cannot quit, they should visit a medic to get recommendations to stop smoking. In severe cases, lung cancer patients may experience dyspnea, which results in the impediment of significant airways. Allen et al. (2019) say that often, the disease causes accumulation of fluids around the pulmonary system, making it hard for the lungs to expand while inhaling. Also, lung cancer causes bleeding along the airway leading to blood in the cough. Even though bleeding can be severe at times, there are therapies available to curb the condition. Unfortunately, lung cancer may spread to various body parts like the bones and the brain. In such cases, the patients experience pain, migraines, and nausea, among other signs based on the affected body organ.

Currently, oncologists have come up with various tests to assess lung cancer. According to Latimer & Mott (2015), one of the tests is sputum cytology, where the technician observes the patient’s sputum microscopically to identify lung cancer cells. Sometimes, physicians prefer biopsy, where they access abnormal areas in the patient’s pulmonary system using a kindled tube that is passed down the victim’s throat into their lungs. Medics can also collect biopsy samples from organs where cancer has spread like the liver and lymph nodes. In some instances, imaging tests are also used since some lesions in the lungs can only be detected through the scan. After diagnosis, the doctor determines the extent of cancer so they can decide on the most appropriate therapy. The patient and the physician then select a treatment schedule depending on the victim’s overall health and their inclinations. Allen et al. (2019) say that the most common cancer treatment methods include surgery, drug therapy, radiation treatment, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative care. Although it is challenging to treat cancer, the treatment methods help reduce its spread to other body parts and increase the patient’s life span.

Since there is no assured method to avert lung cancer, several measures exist to reduce one’s risk of contracting the disease. It is advisable to avoid smoking at all costs. Also, parents must advise their kids against cigarette smoking and educate them on the risks that come along with it, especially regarding lung cancer. Risher (2020) contends that it is also crucial for smokers to quit smoking to lower the risk of contracting the disease. Most importantly, people who work or stay with smokers must urge them to stop smoking, where people reside or open places like hotels and bars. Instead, cigarette smokers should look for smoking designated areas. To avoid radon gas contamination, people should test their homes for the gas. It is also essential to ensure enough ventilation in houses to avoid the accumulation of toxic gases. Notably, individuals must take precautions to protect themselves from inhaling carcinogens, especially by wearing face masks.

In America, the national expenses related to cancer, especially lung cancer, have been escalating steadily. Recent research indicates that cancer survivors account for about 137 billion dollars in health care expenditure between 2010 and 2020 (Reedy et al., 2020). Consequently, many patients succumb to lung cancer for the lack of finances to cater for medical expenses. Besides, cancer treatment drains families of their resources, resulting in economic instability. Unfortunately, most cancer patients deteriorate, even after spending a considerable amount of money to seek treatment. Also, it is regrettable that most countries have limited or no advanced cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment. Therefore, patients congest in the available facilities, and some have to travel overseas for medication. Notably, lung cancer not only costs individuals and society billions of dollars but also their loved ones through death. Therefore, it is critical to reducing inhibitors to cancer care in the battle to eradicate misery and mortality due to lung cancer and other malignancies.

Conclusively, among the diseases accounting for many deaths in the world is lung cancer. Even though most people believe that lung malignancy results mainly from cigarette smoking, there are other causes of the disease. Also, lung cancer symptoms can vary from mild to severe, based on the stage of the ailment. Nonetheless, it is advisable to seek medical attention before the disease escalates. Contemporarily, medical experts have different techniques to diagnose lung cancer that help them determine the extent of the disease. Sadly, lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body, causing severity, and therefore, individuals must take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of acquiring lung cancer.

References

Allen, M. S., Alzubaidi, S. S., Beamer, S. E., & Blackmon, S. (2019, August 13). Lung cancer. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/doctors-departments/ddc-20374629

Latimer, K., & Mott, T. (2015). Lung cancer: diagnosis, treatment principles, and screening. American family physician, 91(4), 250-256.

Reedy, G. M., Cance, W. G., Kim, K., Lacasse, L., Phillips, T., & Reicin, K. (2020). Economic Impact of Cancer. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/economic-impact-of-cancer.html

Risher, B. (2020, February 19). Doctors Explain How You Can Develop Lung Cancer Without Ever Smoking Cigarettes. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/g23875550/lung-cancer-causes/