Lung Cancer - What Should You Know?

Lung cancer is broadly classified into two categories Non-small cell lung carcinoma is found in larger cancer cells such as adenocarcinoma or squamous cells. It s occurrence of often associated with smoking. Small-cell lung carcinoma is found grouped with the smaller cells. It is rarely found in non-smokers.

Until the cancer is well advanced, lung cancer does not show any symptoms. Around 8 to 10 percent of the patients are diagnosed with asymptomatic lung cancer when the radiograph is performed for any other reason. Nearly 18 to 20 percent of lung cancer patients are found to have localized effect (cancer remain confined to the affected lung only) when diagnosed at an initial stage. Around 25 percent of the lung cancer patients have regional metastasis (lung cancer which has spread to nearby tissues or organs). Lastly, almost 55 percent of the patients have a distant spread of lung cancer.

Most of the lung cancer cases are due to smoking; therefore it is one of the most preventable types of cancer death. Lung function increases within one month to three months after quitting smoking and lung regains its normal function within nine months. The risk of death from lung cancer drops to half after 10 years of quitting smoking.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Natural decaying of uranium in rocks, soil, and water releases radon. Radon is an odorless and tasteless gas; therefore, it can get accumulated to dangerous levels inside homes and buildings. This may affect the health of a person and may lead to lung cancer.