
WORLD LUNG CANCER DAY 2022
One kind of cancer that develops in the lungs is lung cancer. Your lungs are two flexible organs located in your chest that allow you to breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.
The largest cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide is lung cancer. According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer, the most prevalent type of cancer worldwide, alone resulted in 1.80 million deaths in 2020.
Lung cancer can affect persons who have never smoked, but smokers are at a higher risk than non-smokers. The quantity and frequency of cigarettes you’ve smoked are related to your chance of developing lung cancer. Even after years of smoking, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing lung cancer by quitting.
In its early stages, lung cancer often shows no signs or symptoms. Lung cancer signs and symptoms often appear when the condition is advanced.
Lung cancer symptoms and signs may include:
• A chest infection that just started.
• Spitting out blood, even a little bit of it.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Chest pain.
• Hoarseness.
• Shedding pounds without trying.
• A bone ache.
• Headache.
Your chance of developing lung cancer may be impacted by several variables. You can reduce some risk factors, like smoking, by giving it up. Furthermore, some factors, like your family history, are outside of your control.
Lung cancer risk factors include:
Smoking:
The number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the length of time you have been smoking both raise your risk of developing lung cancer. You can dramatically reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting at any age.
Exposure to passive smoking:
Even if you don’t smoke, being around second-hand smoke raises your risk of developing lung cancer.
Prior radiation treatment:
You may be at a higher risk of developing lung cancer if you’ve had chest radiation therapy for another type of cancer.
Being exposed to radon gas:
The natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water results in the production of radon, which eventually finds its way into the air you breathe. Radon can build up to unsafe levels in any structure, including dwellings.
Exposure to other carcinogens, such as asbestos:
Your chance of developing lung cancer can increase if you work with asbestos and other cancer-causing agents including arsenic, chromium, and nickel, especially if you smoke.
History of lung cancer in the family:
Lung cancer risk is higher in people who have a parent, sibling, or child who has the disease.
Complications:
Lung cancer can cause complications, such as shortening of breath, coughing up blood, pain, fluid in the chest, and many more.
Prevention:
Although there is no guaranteed strategy to avoid lung cancer, you can lower your risk by:
Avoid smoking:
Never start smoking if you haven’t already. Talk to your kids about quitting so they can learn how to avoid this significant lung cancer risk factor. Talk to your kids about the risks of smoking when they are young so they will be prepared to handle peer pressure.
Give up smoking:
Quit smoking right away. Even if you’ve been a smoker for a long time, quitting lowers your chance of lung cancer. Consult your doctor for advice on effective methods and cessation assistance. Options include drugs, support groups, and nicotine replacement therapies.
Don’t smoke around others:
Encourage a smoker to stop if you live or work with them. Ask them to smoke outside, at the very least. Don’t go to places where people smoke, including pubs and restaurants, and look for smoke-free places to go instead.
Eat a lot of fruits and veggies in your diet:
Pick a balanced diet that includes a range of fruits and vegetables. Vitamins and nutrients are best obtained from food sources. Vitamins taken as pills should not be used in high dosages since they may be dangerous. For instance, researchers offered beta carotene supplements to heavy smokers in an effort to lower their risk of lung cancer. According to the findings, supplements really raised smokers’ risk of developing cancer.
Try to work out most days of the week:
Start slowly if you don’t routinely exercise. On most days of the week, try to exercise.
Every year, World Lung Cancer Day raises awareness of the risky situation and urges all over the world to take action to combat it. As a result, on August 1 of each year, people all across the world mark World Lung Cancer Day.
Day-to-day life with lung cancer can be just as tough as the treatment for it. Strategies like managing symptoms, and emotional and physical health can help the patient to improve their quality of life. Every year, World Lung Cancer Day raises awareness of the risky situation and urges all over the world to take action to combat it. As a result, on August 1 of each year, people all across the world mark World Lung Cancer Day.
References:
https://www.sriramakrishnahospital.com/how-does-lung-cancer-usually-start
https://drkumo.com/9-ways-to-prevent-lung-cancer/
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g29701756/carrie-underwood-health-fitness-tips/