10 Major Signs and symptoms of Lung Cancer

Though lung cancer does not show any sign and symptom in early stages but we can make judgement about lung cancer by considering these signs. These are very common so sometimes we are unable to recognize them. Lung cancer is detected on regular city scan or X-Ray check up.

In spite of having problems of recognizing the symptoms of lung cancer, some sign may indicate you of this deadly problem which are as follows :-

1. Prolonged cough :- If a person is suffering from coughing problem for a long time and this is not healing after taking cough syrups and medicine than it is a cause of concern and you must visit the doctor as it may be the deadly lung cancer.

2. Shortening of breath or wheezing :- If you are having a problem win breathing particularly shortening of breath thus you should go for a whole body scan. It may indicate lung cancer as in lung cancer the efficiency of lungs decreases leading to wheezing or breath shortening.

3. Swelling in neck and face :- Lung cancer causes blockage in the blood vessels. This result in swollen neck and face. These are uncommon symptoms but even if you notice these signs you must go for CT scan and X-Ray to examine whether it is lung cancer or not.

4. Weight loss :- Weight loss unexpectedly can indicate lung cancer thus you must take care of this sign and must report doctor after noticing this sign.

5.  Thickening of fingers :- Changes in fingers including the broadening and swelling of fingers is a major symptom of lung cancer. It is caused due to enlargement of finger bones.

6. Blood with sputum :- This is a common indication of lung cancer and if you notice blood in your sputum then you must immediately go to doctor for scan to clarify about the cause. It may be lung cancer.

7. Loss of appetite :- Lung cancer generally reduces the appetite of the victim and those if you feel like your stomach is filled all time. Then go for full body scan to detect the cause for this.

8. Pneumonia and bronchitis :- Lung cancer generally accompany with other diseases. Having pneumonia and bronchitis may indicate the lung cancer.

9. Pain in chest and shoulder :- If your chest pains when you cough and your shoulder unknowingly feels uncomfortable then it may be lung cancer within you.

10. Abnormal chest growth in men :- One of the major and hidden symptom of lung cancer is the abnormal chest growth in men. If you find any disorder or abnormality with your chest. It is to be taken care seriously and you must go for full body scan to detect the actual problem.

These signs and symptoms are to be taken care and if any if these are associated with you then you must visit doctor and go for full body scan to find out reasons for the problems.

REFERENCES :-
Cancer Research Uk

msn Healthy living
NHS Choices
MedicineNet

Risk factors and causes of Lung Cancer

There are so many risk factors related to Lung cancer which increases the risk of lung cancer and later on becomes the cause of lung cancer and these are discussed below.

Risk factors and causes of lung cancer are as follows:-

1. Smoking :- Smoking is the main risk factor and cause of the lung cancer. 9 out of 10 persons who are having lung cancer is due to cigarette smoking and this percentage counts to be nearly 85% and nearly 3% are affected by secondary smoke. Smoking cigarette has about 60 carcinogens. Smoking increases the risk factor to a large amount and it is also related with the time period from which a person is smoking. People who started smoking at earlier age has more risk of having lung cancer. Cigarettes with filters reduces the risk of cancer. Smoking also causes other lung disorders.

 2. Passive or second hand smoke :- The persons who are not smokers but take passive smoke or second hand smoke are also on a risk of lung cancer but not as much as the active smokers but risk is there. Passive smoke has about 50 carcinogen which can increase the risk of cancer.

3. Asbestos and silica :- Asbestos is a natural substance which is used in construction works and ship building. It has been studied that the exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer. Exposure to silica which is used to make glass can also increase the risk of lung cancer.

4.  Radon gas :-  Radon gas is naturally occurring gas which is radioactive in nature and it can increase the risk of lung cancer to those people who tend to live more in indoor. It is formed from soil and rocks which contains small amount of  uranium. Smokers who tend to smoke indoors are at the highest risk of lung cancer.

5. Environmental pollution :- It has been studied that lung cancer in non smokers is generally caused due to the pollution of environment. The people whose working conditions lie to polluted area are at high risk of lung cancer. It has been studied that in developing countries like India and China where coal is used as fuel in houses are at high risk of lung cancer as smoke of coal persists in their homes.

6. Immunity factors :- Drugs that we use for treatment of other diseases lower the immunity of body and the persons who have some other disorder and is taking drugs to cure it are at high risk of lung cancer.

7. Other lung disease :- The persons who are suffering from chronic lung diseases are at high risk of lung cancer. These diseases such as tuberculosis lowers the body immunity and weakens you from inside as well as outside and thus person is at high risk of lung cancer.

REFERENCES :-
Cancer Research Uk
Life with lung cancer
Cancer quest

LUNG CANCER : MOST DEADLIEST CANCER AND ITS TYPES

There are more than 200 cancers that can affect a human. There are cancers which are not fatal also fatal one are there. The most fatal and deadliest cancer of all cancer is "LUNG CANCER". It has engulfed 160,000 lives alone in United States America which is far more than combining the deaths caused by colon, breast, pancreas and prostate cancer.

These facts are shocking  and the death rate due lung cancer is increasing day by day. There are various type of lung cancers and before the treatment of lung cancer it is necessary and foremost task to determine the type of lung cancer.

There are mainly four types of lung cancers that decide the further set of treatment that is to be used while treating lung cancer.

Various types of lung cancer are as follows :-

1. Small cell lung cancer :- Small cell lung cancer is caused by the smoking, exposure to asbestos and radon. It accounts for about 20% of total lung cancers. This affects the inner parts of lungs and it is further of two types namely limited and extensive. Limited has an access to only one side of lung and extensive affects both sides of lungs. Most of the cases are extensive and there is very less chance of surgery in this type of cancer though radiation therapy and chemotherapy gave better results. In spite of this the survival rate is pretty much low as about less than 20%.

2. Large cell lung cancer :- Large cell lung cancer is found in 10 % of the victims having lung cancer and it is called so because of its large round shape of its cells when seen under microscope. It affects the outer side of the lungs. Its prediction can be done by the signs of prolonged cough and blood coming out with the cough.

3. Squamous cell lung cancer :- This type of lung cancer constitute about 30% of total lung cancer and it affects the inner parts of lungs and its common symptoms are cough from a long time blood while coughing and breathing problem. Incident of squamous cell lung cancer is decreasing after the coming up of filtered cigarettes.

4. Adenocarcinoma lung cancer :- This type of lung cancer is associated with non smokers and they constitute more than 50% of the cases of lung cancer. It constitute a large group of women. Its symptoms are hard to recognize and mostly recognized at time it is diagnosed. Its symptoms may be shortening of breath, fatigue, prolonged chronic cough and blood coughing.

On basis of these four types of lung cancers, further treatment is recommended by the oncologist.

REFERENCES :-
about.com
American Lung association
American cancer association
Cancer Healer