What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. This usually occurs in those cells that line the air passages. As the cancer cells grow, they can interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs. They can also spread from the original part of the lung to lymph glands around the airway, the opposite lung, bones, brain, and liver, as well as to other parts of the body.

Read more here:  https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/learn-about-cancer/types-of-cancer/lung-cancer.html

Risk Factors

• Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor of lung cancer. The risk of having lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day and the duration of smoking
• Second hand smoke (passive smoke) is a major risk factor of lung cancer among non-smokers. No amount of exposure to second-hand smoke is safe
• Lung cancer is more common in people above the age of 40
• Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals increases the risk of lung cancer, e.g. asbestos, coal gas, chromates, nickel, arsenic, vinyl chloride, mustard gas and radon
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
• A personal or family history: the risk of lung cancer may be higher if your parents, brothers or sisters, or children have had lung cancer. A lung cancer survivor,especially those who have smoked, may develop another form of lung cancer.

The most effective method to reduce the risk of getting lung cancer is to avoid smoking.

Signs & Symptoms

Often, there are no symptoms of lung cancer during its early stages. However, common symptoms of lung cancer may include:

• General weakness, tiredness, and unexplained weight loss
• Persistent coughs that worsen over time
• Blood in sputum (Haemoptysis)
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
• Recurring chest infection and fever
• Constant chest pain
• Loss of appetite
• Symptoms resulting from the metastases of lung cancer, such as a swollen liver, paleness, swelling of lymph nodes

Resources