Are You Concerned About Being Diagnosed With Lung Cancer?

LUNG CANCER..

If you or a loved one are concerned about being diagnosed with lung cancer, it is important that you empower yourself with the facts about this disease.

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast, and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. The lungs, a pair of sponge-like, cone-shaped organs, are part of the body's respiratory system. When we breathe in, the lungs take in oxygen, which our cells need to live and carry out their normal functions. When we breathe out, the lungs get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of the body's cells. Cancers that begin in the lungs are divided into two major types, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, depending on how the cells look under a microscope. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently.

Scientists have identified certain risk factors that may increase the risk of developing lung cancer. These risk factors include personal and family history of lung cancer, genetic alterations to certain genes, age, and environmental carcinogens. Studies also show a woman’s body is more susceptible to cancer-causing substances than a man’s body.

The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke and to avoid people who do. If you already smoke, try to quit and avoid secondhand smoke.

The sooner a person quits smoking the better. Even if you have been smoking for many years, it's never too late to benefit from quitting. Quit Smoking Guide: Quit smoking product reviews, comparisons, information, and resources

If you have any symptoms of lung cancer, such as a productive or persistent cough, chest pain, hoarseness or shortness of breath, or tests suggest lung cancer, it is important to see your physician for a complete medical exam and diagnostic testing.

You can find out more about lung cancer at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) which is the federal government's authority on lung cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site:http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/lung