Detecting Lung Cancer Blog

Early detection is essential to surviving lung cancer. Did you know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women in the United States? In 2012, over 226,000 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed and over 160,000 perished from the disease. 54% of people perish within the 1^st year after diagnosis.  Lung cancer takes the lives of more people each year than the next four biggest cancer killers combined: colon, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. One of the key reasons that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer is that the majority of lung cancer is found symptomatically and tends to be late stage cancer. Lung cancer symptoms can include persistent coughing, shortness of breath and/or wheezing. Since these are very common symptoms they can easily go unnoticed or even misdiagnosed adding further delay to diagnosis.

According to the study, Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Why is this Feature Important to Evaluate? Can it be Improved, done by the Journal of Thoracic Oncology claims that exercise can help those that are already diagnosed with lung cancer. Exercise has the potential to improve a person’s ability to deal with common lung cancer symptoms.This is possible because the amount of oxygen intake from working out is increased compared to one’s normal daily activity and over a period of time the lung muscles will become stronger allowing deeper breathing and increased oxygen intake. However, it must be noted that the amount of oxygen intake may vary by person based upon their age, gender and the rate or level of exercise. Physical exercise can even help with several patient-reported symptoms including improvements in breathlessness, fatigue, despair and the overall quality of life.

We live in a society that warns you about the hazards of smoking cigarettes. Warnings are now listed on the back of cigarette packs as well as anti-smoking ads shown on television, billboards and in magazines. Who doesn’t know and believe that smoking is a health risk? Even with the extensive media blitz 46 million Americans continue to smoke according to CBS News. Not only are smokers in danger of developing lung cancer but so are those that are extensively exposed to second hand smoke. More than half of the children in the U.S. are being exposed to second hand smoke.  About 98% of children that are extensively exposed to second hand smoke will have a significant amount of tobacco related toxins within their body.

Reports of another celebrity in the news with lung cancer. Valerie Harper, a star known as Rhoda Morgenstern on the Mary Tyler Moore show has been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer known as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is a rare form of terminal brain cancer that is likely related to the lung cancer that she had battled four years prior. Valerie Harper was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 which was discovered when Valerie had broken her wrist. When she had gone in for surgery the doctor suggested a pre-op chest x-ray as preparation. The x-ray had shown a spot on her right lobe.  Valerie was surprised when the spot on her right lobe was lung cancer since she was a non-smoker. According to the article, Valerie Harper: Actor, Author, and Lung Cancer Survivor, Valerie was quoted “About 20 percent of lung cancer patients are non-smokers, so it’s time we stop putting this all on smoking and forgetting about all those nonsmokers who are still at risk.” Valerie Harper is one of the many celebrities who deaths have contributed to lung cancer. Click on the following links to read about other celebrities who have perished from lung cancer.

It is known that lung cancer is primarily caused by smoking but there are other risk factors that can cause lung cancer. According to the article, Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk, asbestos is one of the many risk factors for lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in the US killing 160,000 American's each and every year; approximately the population of Dayton, Ohio. Out of 160,000 it is believed that asbestos contributes to about 4,800 deaths each year.

It’s not possible to comprehend how one feels when they are diagnosed with lung cancer.  Lung cancer is devastating not only for the patient themselves but for their family and friends. Those that are struggling with lung cancer are not alone and there are many resources to help them become educated and cope with lung cancer.

We have always heard that smoking cigarettes can increase your chances for lung cancer but what about drinking alcohol?

We have advocated for people to stop smoking, for many reasons, including reducing cancer risk, reducing the chance of heart attack or stroke, getting rid of smokers or morning cough, among numerous other reasons.

According to a recent study, an astounding 80% of adults are not aware that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer, with only 12% saying that they know about lung cancer symptoms.

When compared to other cancers, lung cancer is seemingly unknown. It is often associated with smoking and considered to be very deadly, but few people know anything further than that about the disease.