By Tim Ho, PharmD, Ellie Mueller, PharmD Candidate, and April Willoby, PharmD Candidate, Illinois CancerCare
Cancer is an unfortunate reality for many people. However, there are many options available to treat cancer. Educating yourself and your loved ones about cancer may not only relieve many fears, but it may also lead one to visit their doctor and, possibly, to an early diagnosis.
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Smoking greatly increases the chance of developing lung cancer, but people who have never smoked can have lung cancer as well. Even if someone smoked for many years, quitting can greatly reduce his or her cancer risk or improve his or her outcome. The U.S. Surgeon General has said, “Smoking cessation represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.”
Another common cause of lung cancer is exposure to a gas called radon. Radon cannot be smelled, tasted, or seen. Some homes have higher amounts of radon, especially those that have been built on land that has natural uranium deposits. Radon detection testing can be done to check your home for radon levels. Many home improvement stores sell kits that you can set up yourself, or a professional contractor can be hired to check your home’s radon levels.
Symptoms
In the early stages of lung cancer, there are usually no symptoms, or there may be a slight cough or some shortness of breath. However, as the disease starts to advance, symptoms can become more noticeable. These symptoms can include:
- New cough that does not go away
- Changes in a chronic cough or “smoker’s cough”
- Coughing up blood
- Infections that do not go away or keep coming back
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or laughing
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Losing weight without trying or loss of appetite
- Feeling tired or weak
If someone is experiencing any combination of these symptoms and is concerned about their health, a visit to the doctor is recommended. There are various tests that are performed to diagnose lung cancer, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, and lung biopsy.
If lung cancer is diagnosed, there are many different treatment options available. These options would depend on many factors, such as how advanced the disease is, which type of lung cancer the patient has, what the patient’s goals are, and the clinical recommendation of a medical oncologist.
Types of Lung Cancer
It is important to for the doctor to find out what type of lung cancer someone has because this will determine his or her treatment and the outlook, or prognosis, of the disease.
The most common lung cancer is called non-small cell lung cancer. About 85 percent of all lung cancers are non-small cell. The outlook on this type of cancer depends on the stage of the cancer — how much the cancer has grown and if it has reached the lymph nodes.
A second type of lung cancer is called small cell lung cancer. Another name for this type of lung cancer is called oat cell cancer, and about 10 to 15 percent of lung cancers are small cell. Nearly all small cell lung cancers are due to tobacco use. This type of cancer usually spreads, or metastasizes, to other parts of the body fairly quickly.
A third type is a lung carcinoid tumor. Only about five percent of lung cancer is this type. Most of these grow slowly and they rarely spread to other parts of the body. Normally these tumors are removed by surgery.
Screening for Lung Cancer
The American Cancer Society recommends screening for people who are at a high risk of developing lung cancer. Someone would be considered high risk if they have smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for thirty years or more, or two packs a day for fifteen years, and are either still smoking or have quit in the past fifteen years
Preventing Lung Cancer
Cancers cannot always be prevented, but there are definitely ways to greatly reduce your risk. Most importantly, if you smoke, stop as soon as possible. Avoid breathing in other people’s smoke, known as secondhand smoke. There are various smoking cessation products available at your local pharmacy that can help you quit smoking. Your doctor or pharmacist can assist you with determining the best plan to help you quit smoking.
Have your home tested for radon, and if the radon is detected, have it treated to remove the exposure.
Eating a healthy diet with many vegetables and fruits has been shown to help reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Unfortunately, some people who do not have any risk factors still develop lung cancer. Speak with your doctor if you have concerns about having or getting lung cancer.
For more information, contact Illinois CancerCare. Visit: illinoiscancercare.com or call 309-243-3000.
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