Lung Cancer Reviewed

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It is well documented in America that cancer of the heart kills more women than anything else. In this article we’ll share information about lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that centers on the lungs. The oncologist and specialists in cancer do not know exactly how it occurs but it does.

It occurs because in 2004 alone 158,006 people died of lung cancer. Since the disease is so insidious in that it respects no person. Women and men are afflicted. 89,575 men and 68,431 women fell victims to this disease according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Those rates are alarming but do you hear anything about it on the evening news? No. All you hear about today is the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When you look at a lot of the lung cancer information today you do not come away with a clear cut understanding as to how and why the disease occurs. Doctors just do not know fully why it happens. Some times it is not necessary to know the hows and whys of things. But you can focus on doing what you can to avoid them.

Cancer of the lungs manifests as two primary types: 1. small cell lung cancer 2. non-small cell lung cancer
The primary difference is that they spread or matastasize differently in the body. Some patients who have lung cancer often find that the prognosis worsening because the cancer spreads up the spinal column into the brain.

These types of cancers are very aggressive. It will often seek and pulse throughout the body looking for weaker cells to infect.

Non-small cell lung cancer is often categorized in three forms:
1. Squamous cell carcinoma
2. Adenocarcinoma
3. Large cell carcinoma

Searching the internet you’ll find a ton of information about who can get cancer. Obviously you’ve heard about the war on tobacco containing products like cigars, cigarettes and chewing tobacco too. They all pose the risk of lung cancer following the addiction to them. But did you know that the misconception that cigars are better for you is exactly the opposite.

Here’s why…

Cigars and pipes are riskier because they contain asbestos. Asbestos used to be used in building materials back in the industrial age. But little did they know back then that this was a bio hazard waiting to happen. Asbestos is no longer used in constructing buildings. But the residual effects are treacherous. Many of your older churches are laden with asbestos containing materials. Schools, day care facilities, old painted surfaces in homes as well. The insulation that was used in many homes were filled with asbestos. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that often results.

If you are having persistent of frequent coughing spells with chest pain, perhaps you see blood in the mucus your cough up, get tired easily, experience shortness of breath, bronchitis like symptoms and such should send you to a physician. Do not just tolerate these signs and symptoms of cancer. You may feel that these are just things that happen when you get old. This is not true. That is a myth. You should see your doctor right away and strive to live a healthy lifestyle by not smoking or chewing tobacco of course. While at the doctor they can help you with that also. But it all starts with you taking the first step. Go to the doctor please if you have any of these symptoms.

Believe it or not, many doctors in 2008 can miss diagnosis of an early symptom of lung cancer. You should be on the look out for yourself especially if you persist in smoking.

Smoking is the chief risk factor (cause) of lung cancer. Smoking kills. Many smokers argue that the environment from which they grew up in or now live and work in can play a factor. That is true. It can play a role in this disease however, the bulk perhaps even 97% of all lung cancer is self induced.

It is caused not because we don’t know that active or passive smoking is dangerous for our health.

So, many people get a diagnosis of lung cancer after complaining that they find it hard to breathe. It may feel like a 2 ton weight sitting on your shoulders as you attempt to inhale. The exhalation is often not fully maximized and leaves room for choppy breathing. Some describe it as a feeling like they are drowning.

Suppose you go to the doctor because you’ve got a cough that just won’t go away. They should do an X-ray of your lungs and possibly take a lung function test, blood test, urine test etc. to find out what is going on in your body.

So many folks that get this diagnosis never see it coming. Since the symptoms are suggestive of your typical winter cold, many people get on antibiotic therapy and think this will make them well. IN the short term it may stop those symptoms. But down the road when the weather changes a bit you find yourself having another exacerbation and you repeat the steps of going to the doctor and getting breathing treatments and antimicrobial treatments with antibiotics.

30% of all diagnosed lung cancer had not symptoms at all which would explain their diagnosis. This is the early stages of the disease. To catch it now offers the best probability of being successful with treatment.

The balance of the 30% is the 70% of the people that experience these early symptoms by way of a tumor or persistent cough, chest tightness, edema, or pain. Others even cough up endless amounts of phlegm mixed with blood.

If you’ve been experiencing these types of symptoms, then you need to see a medical doctor immediately. Do not delay for anything. Your very future could be hanging in the balances of taking decisive action.

If you smoke, you must develop the where withal to quit. You don’t have to go it alone. There are many online and offline tools such as support groups, drug therapy with Zyban, Wellbutrin or Chantix. Do a little research or read more about these aids on this site and others like them.

Early symptom of lung cancer finally can be that of a tumor that is situated in a prominent area that disrupts some other bodily function. You will probably see an oncologist that can outline the best treatment for you. An oncologist is a specialized physician that treats cancers only. You really need to see a specialist despite what ANY HMO may say. Fight for your rights to get the best care for YOUR life!
Here is a link to a special PDF report all about these symptoms for your review.
Have a great day!