Detecting Lung Cancer Blog

Though tobacco exposure, both current and past, remain the number one lung cancer risk factor, it is important to be aware of others. These include a family history of lung cancer, extensive exposure to secondhand smoke and exposure to chemicals and substances such as radon, asbestos, coal products, arsenic, vinyl chloride and other carcinogens.

In this post, we want to focus on the last lung cancer risk factor listed: exposure to the above carcinogens—particularly, exposure for women in the workplace.

In the past, we’ve had many posts on the stigma of lung cancer, and how that could lead to a lack of funding for lung cancer. But one big question still remains – could the guilt that smokers feel actually be a lung cancer risk factor?

Not surprisingly, a lung cancer diagnosis often causes the patient to grieve. Lung cancer is a serious illness, often detected at an advanced stage when the chances of recovery are greatly reduced. Sadness and anger at the situation seem to be a natural reaction—depression, however, is another story.

People already know that smoking is hazardous to your health. You’ve probably heard that when it comes to your health, smoking can cost you, on average, 14 years of your life; something we will explore in more detail on a future post.

But what can smoking cost you in time and money? Have you ever taken a moment to identify what you spend on cigarettes in this regard?

The primary method for detecting lung cancer is through symptoms exhibited by the patient. These lung cancer symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis (spitting blood), pneumonia, fluid in the lungs, chest pain, bone and joint pain, change in the voice and other symptoms.

Despite getting less attention and less funding than other forms of cancer, the fact remains: Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer in the United States.

The disease doesn’t discriminate: it tops the list for men, women and all ethnic groups, resulting in over 157,000 deaths projected in 2010 according to the American Cancer Society.

This story is the third in a series of commentary from survivors and loved ones who have posted their message of hope, courage and often grief on our Awareness Wall.

In this past Detecting Lung Cancer blog post, we discussed a growing concern that surrounds women and lung cancer.

If you were asked what the number one cancer killer among women was, what would you say? How about the number one cancer killer among men? For the majority of adults in the United States, the answer is surprising.