Lung Cancer Facts
There are literally thousands of information bits and lung cancer facts to be found in books, on news reports and online. It is easier to understand the wide array of lung cancer facts when it is broken down into smaller segments. Regardless of how you look at them, though, the facts surrounding lung cancer are pretty scary.
Lung Cancer Facts - The Disease
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. In fact, the death rate from lung cancer is higher than the rate of death found in breast cancer, colon cancer, lymph cancer and prostate cancer combined.
Despite this startling detail, most cases of lung cancer are thought to be preventable. Experts say 90 percent of lung cancer cases are caused by cigarette smoking. Other factors that can cause lung cancer include exposure to asbestos, radon and second- hand cigarette smoke.
One of the reasons why lung cancer is so deadly is that there are few early signs or symptoms, so detection frequently does not occur until the later stages. When lung cancer progresses to a more advanced stage, that usually means that it has spread to other parts of the body. Lung cancer spreads more quickly than other cancers because the lungs have a high concentration of blood vessels and lymph vessels, which make it a good environment for the cancer to grow and multiply.
Lung Cancer Facts - The Hard Truth
Probably the most terrifying reality about lung cancer is that it is very frequently fatal. Researchers report that 60 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within one year of the discovery of the disease. Even more startling, lung cancer that is not treated kills most victims within six months.
Lung Cancer Facts - The Risks
Smoking causes almost all cases of lung cancer, and smokers are much more likely to develop lung cancer than someone who has never smoked. In fact, non-smokers make up a very small percentage of the overall number of people with lung cancer.
Exposure to toxic chemicals has also been found to cause lung cancer. This include radon that can be found inside the home, and other carcinogens, like asbestos, that are sometimes found on job sites.
It is possible to screen the lungs for signs of cancer, but this process is somewhat controversial among medical professionals. While lung cancer screening can lead to early diagnosis, which greatly improves the odds for survival, lung cancer screening can also lead to false positives and false negatives that may result in emotional and physical problems as well as unnecessary testing and health risks.
Lung Cancer Facts - Prevention
The best way to prevent lung cancer is by not smoking. Statistics show that even people who have smoked for years significantly lower their risk for developing lung cancer when they quit. This fact holds true at any age.
Eating a healthy diet and participating in regular exercise have also been found to lower the risk for lung cancer and other types of cancer as well.