All You Need to Know About Lung Cancer

Posted on August 11, 2008

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in America, taking more lives each year than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, surpassing the dreaded breast cancer.

The most common cause of lung cancer is long term exposure to tobacco smoke. Three to five years after quitting, the risk of getting lung cancer is reduced by half. For smokers the risk is significant due to the synergistic effects of radon and smoking as well as asbestos exposure.

As dirt and smoke chemicals build up in your lungs, you have a higher change of getting lung cancer. Even non-smokers are not spared. People who constantly inhale secondhand smoke will also be likely to develop lung cancer.

Overall, this type of cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and it is no wonder that it is the major cause of cancer death in the world. Lung cancer can generally be categorized as small cell cancer and non-small cancer. Non-small cell cancer is more common while small cell cancer is harder to treat because it generally spreads faster.

Lung cancer is very difficult to detect at an early stage, some symptoms may include a new or changing cough, along with hoarseness or shortness of breath or increased shortness of breath during exertion. Sadly, this type of cancer are usually detected only at late stage, and this greatly limit the treatments that is applicable to treat it.

Once lung cancer is detected, a treatment plan is developed based on the patient’s physical health, whether the cancer is small cell or non-small cell and how extensively the cancer has spread.

Treatments usually involve surgery to remove the cancer cells and surrounding affected cells depends on how far the cancer has metasized.

In chemotherapy, drugs are given orally or through the vein to combat cancer cells. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the blood stream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells outside the lungs.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting colloidal materials that emit radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. These are mainstream treatments used by many doctors in medical institution. However, patients that have exhausted these treatments often look for other options in alternative treatments, and often with encouraging results.

Increasingly, more and more people turn to alternative treatment that reverse cancer through diet and lifestyle change. These treatments are usually inexpensive and aimed at repairing cancer cells instead of killing them.

Visit http://www.AsbestosLungCancerTreatment.com for the latest information on lung cancer and how to reverse lung cancer using gentle, alternative methods.

Article Author :Steff_X

Last 6 posts in Lung Mesothelioma Asbestos

Why Natural Breast Cancer Treatment is Best For Your Body

There is currently a raging debate about whether conventional or natural treatments are best for fighting your breast cancer.?Those on the conventional side will say that cancer cannot be cured, only managed, and that natural treatments have not been backed up scientifically.?Those on the natural side will say that conventional treatments are barbaric and usually do more harm than good.

I am a proponent of the natural way of doing things.?I believe that your body has developed breast cancer because of imbalances internally and if you can correct those imbalances, you can eliminate the cancer entirely.?Cutting off body parts and pumping… Continue reading

Breast Cancer Symptoms - What Are They and How Can I Get Rid of Them?

I imagine just about every woman after a certain age has some fear of breast cancer.?That’s not to say it’s on our minds night and day.?But with all we hear in the media and from doctors, it certainly has to be in there somewhere.?We all know someone who has it, has had it, or maybe has even died from it.?But as with all things like this, breast cancer starts with symptoms.?Here’s what to look for if you’re concerned and what to do to fix it if you find anything:

Lumps - Everyone knows this one.?Any odd shaped, irregular lumps in your… Continue reading

The Best Way to Help Someone With Breast Cancer

I’m sure most, if not all of us have had someone close to us diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of us have watched that person go through round after round of chemotherapy. Many of us have watched as their bodies were forever surgically altered. Many of us have watched them lose their battle and pass away. Whatever your experience may be, one thing is certain. Trying to find the right way to help someone with breast cancer can be tough.

I’ll fully admit that there are no right or wrong answers here. It will largely… Continue reading

Tags: , , , ,

Related posts

» Filed Under Lung Mesothelioma Asbestos

Comments

Leave a Reply