The Fight Against Lung Cancer: Early Detection and Prevention

Until it becomes difficult to breathe, most of us don't devote much thought to our lung health. People usually associate age-related, environmental, or infection-related symptoms with a persistent cough, increased fatigue, or difficulty breathing. A persistent cough is one way that lung cancer can progress silently, with no noticeable symptoms initially. That's the scary part, and it's also the reason why catching it early is crucial.

Despite lung cancer being a life-threatening condition, there is hope. Prevention and early detection are the keys to improving the effectiveness of the treatment and enhancing the quality of life for high-risk people. 

That’why you must consult the best oncologist in Kolkata if you experience symptoms like persistent worsening coughing, coughing up blood, or any other unusual changes. It is possible to save lives by staying vigilant and acting promptly. Let’s scroll down to learn more about lung cancer detection and preventive measures.

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What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is caused by cells that continue to divide when they shouldn't. It starts with a mass of abnormally dividing lung cells, which is called a lung tumor. It is one of the leading causes of death globally. Smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer. The cumulative effect of cigarette smoking over time raises the risk of lung cancer. Even after a long period of smoking, quitting drastically reduces the risk of lung cancer. Those who have never smoked may also be at high risk of developing lung cancer because of other factors.

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Causes of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer cells are normal cells that have undergone mutation and lost their natural capability to stop multiplying. Cells continue to divide uncontrollably and start interfering with the functioning of normal cells. These malicious cells can spread to multiple body parts through the blood or lymph, increasing the severity of the disorder.

The exact causes of these changes or mutations are still under research. It is also being studied why certain individuals are more likely to have cancer than others. However, certain behaviors, including smoking tobacco products, enhance lung cell damage, causing lung cancer.

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What are the Risk Factors of Lung Cancer?

There are varied risk factors behind lung cancer. One modifiable risk factor is smoking cessation. Your positive family history is one of the non-modifiable factors. Even in non-smokers, there are several risk factors for developing lung cancer. These are

• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Previous radiation therapy
• Exposure to radon gas
• Exposure to substances known to cause cancer, such as asbestos, arsenic, chromium, and nickel, is one risk factor.

What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

The majority of lung cancer symptoms resemble those of other, comparatively harmless conditions. While some people experience symptoms in the early stages of the disorder, many others do not exhibit any signs until the condition has progressed. The following are the symptoms associated with lung cancer:

• Persistently worsening cough
• Dyspnea, or trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Wheezing
• Coughing up blood
• Voice hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent weight loss
• Unexplained fatigue
• Shoulder pain
• Unexplained swelling in the face, neck, arms, or upper chest 
• Minimal or no sweating on one side of your face, and a small pupil and drooping eyelid on the other

How to Prevent Lung Cancer?

The only way to prevent lung cancer is to lower your risk because the exact causes of most cancers are presently unknown. Here are a few strategies that doctors in best oncology hospital, Kolkata may suggest to lessen your risk of acquiring this disorder:

• Quit smoking or cut down if you already do. Within five years of giving up smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer begins to decrease.
• To protect your lungs, stay away from cigarette smoke and other irritants to prevent secondhand smoke.
• Stick to a balanced diet and keep your weight within healthy limits. Include more and more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Numerous studies indicate that doing so could potentially reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
• If you are aware that you are at high risk of developing lung cancer, then you must go for regular lung cancer screening. Early detection of lung cancer can save lives.

What are the Treatment Options for Lung Cancer?

The following are the treatment options for lung cancer:

• Tumor excision surgery
• Palliative surgery
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drug therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Treatments to ease symptoms (palliative care)

Conclusion

Lung cancer! Just this term can turn your world upside down. It's normal to feel anxious and confused, facing a flood of questions in your mind—where should I get treated? Who will guide me? Will the treatment work? How long will I live? On top of all this, you’re often given a lot of new medical information all at once, which can feel heavy and difficult to process. Remember! Statistics can't predict your treatment's outcome or the best course of action for your case.

At IRIS Hospital, the team of the best lung cancer specialists in Kolkata is here to help find and treat your cancer at any stage. Book your consultation now!

FAQs

Q1: What makes early detection of lung cancer so crucial?
A: Early detection is key when it comes to lung cancer treatment. Early detection provides more treatment options, a more favorable response to therapy, and a higher survival rate.

Q2: How to spot lung cancer in its earliest stages?
A: Specifically for high-risk individuals, imaging tests like low-dose CT scans help in the early detection of lung cancer. Your doctor may suggest further testing to confirm the diagnosis.

Q3: Who is the right candidate for lung cancer screening?
A: If you are at high risk, like an active or former smoker, you should probably be screened. Discuss the pros and cons of screening with your doctor.

Q4: What is the survival rate of lung cancer?
A: Several factors affect the survival rate of lung cancer, including the stage of the lung cancer upon diagnosis, the effectiveness of therapy, the patient's overall health condition, the patient's response to the treatment, and many more. For small lung tumors that have not spread to lymph nodes, the survival rate is excellent. According to statistics, in cases where the tumor size is less than 1 cm, the survival rate is 90%; for tumors sized 1 to 2 cm, it's 85%; and for tumors sized 2 to 3 cm, it's 80%.