Lung cancer is the direct cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Lung cancer continues to plague our world and individuals from all walks of life are diagnosed everyday with this dreaded disease.
Lung cancer has proven to be the most prolific type of cancer because the lungs are exposed to various elements in our society. In fact, our lungs are far more exposed than any other organ in our body and it’s vital to our health that we are aware of the hazards our lungs must endure on a daily basis.
Lung cancer can appear as a solid mass, clump, or a node which can be detected by a chest X-ray or diagnosed by performing a sputum test or even a biopsy.
There are three different types of lung cancer: Adenocarcinoma (including bronchioloalveolar carcinoma), Squamous cell carcinoma and Large-cell carcinoma. Therefore, any of the three cancers may affect your body in different ways.
Lung cancer symptoms may react very slowly before actually emerging, usually they don’t occur until after the disease is in the final stages. Symptoms of lung cancer may consists of pain in the chest, several bouts with pneumonia, bronchitis, loss of weight, shortness of breath and coughing up blood.
Lung cancer often moves rapidly to other parts of the body which can spread to the other lung and eventually might even affect the liver, brain and adrenal glands.
Many times lung cancer has been caused by tobacco smoking and has proven to be a deteterment to your health. Lung cancer is a tremendous public health and medical problem for our society. However, lung cancer is a disease which is controllable, if you just don’t smoke. However, for those who start smoking during childhood or adolescence they will have a greater chance of developing lung cancer later in life. Medical stats reveal lung cancer accounts for at least 80% of the cancer cases diagnosed in the United States.
Therefore, if you have a smoking history, been exposed to various elements, and your family has a history of cancer, then you should have your health care provider evaluate your medical history.
We only pass through this world once and without your health you have nothing. Do yourself a favor and be aware of early warning signs and seek medical attention, which might help in providing you with the quality of life you deserve.