lung cancer symptoms

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. Your lungs are two spongy organs in your

 chest that pull oxygen when you inhale and release carbon dioxide when you exhale.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.

People who smoke are more likely to develop lung cancer, although lung cancer can also affect people who have never smoked. 

The risk of lung cancer increases with the length of time you smoke and the number of cigarettes you have smoked. 

If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can greatly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.

Symptoms

Lung cancer does not usually cause signs and symptoms in its early stages. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer usually appear as the disease progresses.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:

A new cough that does not go away

Coughing up blood, even a small amount

shortness of breath

pain in chest

Hoarseness

Lose weight without trying

Bone pain

Headache

When to visit the doctor

If you have any persistent signs of illness or symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor.

If you smoke and have been unable to quit, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can recommend strategies to quit smoking, such as coaching, nicotine replacement drugs and products.

the reasons

Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers - both in smokers and in people exposed to secondhand

 smoke. But lung cancer also occurs in people who never smoked and in those who never had

 prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of lung cancer.

How smoking causes lung cancer

Doctors believe that smoking causes lung cancer by damaging the cells that line the lungs. When you

 inhale cigarette smoke full of carcinogens (carcinogens), changes in lung tissue begin almost

 immediately.

Initially, your body may be able to repair this damage. But with each repeated exposure, the normal

 cells that line your lungs are increasingly damaged. Over time, the damage causes cells to function

 abnormally and cancer may eventually develop.

Types of lung cancer

Doctors divide lung cancer into two main types based on how the cancer cells look under a

 microscope. Your doctor makes treatment decisions based on your main type of lung cancer.

The two main types of lung cancer are:

Small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer almost always occurs only in heavy smokers, and this

 type is less common than non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is an umbrella term for several types of lung

cancer. Non-small cell lung cancers include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell

carcinoma.

Risk factors

There are a number of factors that may increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Some of these risk

 factors can be controlled. By quitting smoking, for example. But there are other factors that cannot be

 controlled, such as your family's medical history.

Among the risk factors for lung cancer:

Smoking. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke daily and the

 number of years of smoking. But quitting smoking at any age can greatly reduce the chances of

 developing lung cancer.

Exposure to secondhand smoke. The chances of developing lung cancer increase if you are exposed to

 secondhand smoke, even if you are a non-smoker?

Previous radiotherapy. If you've had radiation therapy to the chest to treat another type of cancer, you

 may have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Exposure to radon. Radon is produced through the natural decomposition of uranium in soil, rocks and

 water, which eventually becomes part of the air you breathe. In any building or home, dangerous

 levels of radon can accumulate.

Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens. Workplace exposure to asbestos and other substances

 known to cause cancer - such as arsenic, chromium and nickel - can increase your chances of

 developing lung cancer, especially if you smoke.

A family history of lung cancer. The chances of developing lung cancer are higher for people whose

 parents, siblings, or children have had it.

Complications

Lung cancer can cause complications, such as:

shortness of breath. People with lung cancer may experience shortness of breath if the tumor grows in

 size and blocks the main airways. Lung cancer can also cause fluid to accumulate around the lungs,

 making it difficult for the affected lung to fully expand upon inhalation.

Coughing up blood. Lung cancer can cause bleeding into the airway, which may lead to you coughing

 up blood (hemoptysis). Sometimes the bleeding can become severe. There are treatments available to

 control bleeding.

the pain. Advanced lung cancer that spreads to the lining of the lung or another area of ​​the body, such

 as the bone, can cause pain. Tell your doctor if you feel pain, as many treatments are available to

 control the pain.

Fluid accumulation in the chest (pleural effusion) Lung cancer can cause fluid to accumulate in the

 space surrounding an affected lung in the chest cavity (pleural space).

Fluid accumulating in the chest may cause shortness of breath. Treatments are available to drain fluid

 from your chest and reduce the risk of pleural effusion again.

Cancer that spreads to other areas of the body (metastasis). Lung cancer often spreads (metastasizes) to

 other parts of the body, such as the brain and bone.

Cancer that spreads can cause pain, nausea, headache, or other signs and symptoms, depending on the

 organ affected. Once lung cancer has spread outside the lungs, it is generally not treatable. 

Treatments are available to reduce signs and symptoms and help you survive longer.

protection

There is no sure way to prevent lung cancer, but you can reduce your risk if you:

stop smoking. If you have never smoked, then do not start. Talk to your children about not smoking so

 that they can understand how to avoid this main risk factor associated with lung cancer. 

Start conversations about the dangers of smoking with your children early so that they know how to deal

with peer pressure.

Quit Smoking. Quit smoking now. 

Quitting smoking reduces your risk of developing lung cancer, even if you have been a smoker for years. 

Talk to your physician about smoking cessation strategies and methods that can help you quit smoking.

 Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups.

Avoid secondhand smoke. If you live or work with a smoker, encourage him or her to quit. 

At the very least, ask him to smoke outside of where you are. 

Avoid places where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and look for smoke-free options.

Find radon in your home. Check the radon levels in your home, especially if you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem. 

It can treat high radon levels to make your home safer. 

For information about radon screening, contact your local public health department or local chapter of the American Lung Association.

Avoid carcinogens at work. 

Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. And follow the precautions of your employer. 

For example, if you have been given a face mask for protection, always wear it. 

Ask your doctor what you can do to protect yourself at work. The risk of lung damage from carcinogens in the workplace increases if you smoke.

Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Choose a healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits and

 vegetables. Food sources of vitamins and nutrients are best. Avoid taking large doses of vitamins in

 tablet form as they can be harmful. For example, researchers hoping to reduce lung cancer risk in

 heavy smokers gave beta-carotene supplements to these smokers. The results showed that these

 supplements actually increased the risk of cancer in smokers.

Exercise most days of the week. If you don't exercise regularly, start slowly. Try to exercise most days of the week.