Your Health Your Future: Exploring the Types of Lung Cancer
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Imagine you’ve been enjoying smoking for years. You started as a teenager, thinking it was just a phase, but it became a habit that’s been tough to break. Over time, the chemicals present in the cigarettes have been damaging your lung tissue. You may not notice it at first, but the carcinogens in tobacco smoke slowly mutate the healthy cells in your lungs. They become cancerous, forming tumors that can grow and spread. This is how smoking can lead to lung cancer. Understanding the various types of lung cancer is vital because it can help you make informed decisions about your health and motivate you to quit smoking before it’s too late.
Inhaled carcinogens at work can also cause lung cancer. Hence, many industries require Personal Protective Equipment, like masks and respirators, to reduce this risk.
Learning about these types of lung cancer can be an essential step in taking control of your future and making healthier choices.
What is Lung Cancer?
It is one of the most common types of cancer, and there were around 2.2 million new cases of lung cancer in 2020. Lung cancer is caused by the uncontrolled cell division in your lungs. These cells divide into a few more copies of themselves as a phase of their usual function. But a few times, they mutate even more than normal, forcing them to make more copies of themselves when they shouldn’t. Harmed cells dividing fiercely create tumors or masses of tissue that gradually keep your organs from functioning appropriately.
Lung cancer starts in your lungs, generally in the airways (bronchioles or bronchi) or tiny air sacs (alveoli). There are different types of lung cancer. Cancers that begin in other places of your body and move to your lungs are named from where they start.
What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
Before knowing about the different types of lung cancer, learning about its symptoms is equally important. The signs of lung cancer usually occur when the disease is advanced.
Symptoms of lung cancer can involve:
- Breath shortness
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Cough that doesn’t go away
- Headache
- Bone pain
- Hoarseness (your voice will be breathy, strained, or raspy)
The Distinction Between Primary and Secondary Lung Cancer
Primary lung cancer starts in the lung tissue, while secondary lung cancer, also known as metastatic lung cancer, spreads to your lungs from another part of the body. Primary lung cancer stays in the lungs, while secondary lung cancer means the cancer has traveled to the lungs from elsewhere in the body, often through the blood or lymphatic system.
What are the Different Types of Lung Cancer?
Various cancers impact your lungs, but we use the term “lung cancer” generally for two main types:
- NSCLC (Non-small cell lung cancer)
It is one of the most common types of lung cancer. It accounts for around 80% of all lung cancer cases. Common kinds include squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Sarcomatoid and adenosquamous carcinoma are the most common kinds of NSCLC.
- SCLC (Small cell lung cancer)
It evolves more rapidly and is more burdensome to treat than NSCLC types. It is relatively discovered as a small lung tumor that’s spread to various parts of your body. Small cell lung cancer types can include small cell carcinoma (oat cell carcinoma) and combined small cell carcinoma.
A Few Other Types of Cancer in the Lungs
These cancers can start around or in your lungs, including lymph node cancer (lymphomas), cancer in your soft tissue or bones (sarcomas), and cancer in your lung lining (pleural mesothelioma). These types of cancer are treated differently and typically not noticed as “lung cancer.”
What are the Risk Factors?
Various aspects can elevate the risk of lung cancer. Smoking any type of tobacco product, including pipes, cigars, or cigarettes, is one of the most substantial risk factors. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the primary cause of any lung cancer. Around 80% of lung cancer deaths result from smoking, and these stats are even higher for SCLC.
A few other risk factors include:
- Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke
- Family history of lung cancer
- Past radiation treatment to your chest (for lymphoma or breast cancer)
What are the Risk Factors?
Various aspects can elevate the risk of lung cancer. Smoking any type of tobacco product, including pipes, cigars, or cigarettes, is one of the most substantial risk factors. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the primary cause of any lung cancer. Around 80% of lung cancer deaths result from smoking, and these stats are even higher for SCLC.
A few other risk factors include:
- Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke
- Family history of lung cancer
- Past radiation treatment to your chest (for lymphoma or breast cancer)
Preventive Measures for Lung Cancer
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to prevent lung cancer. Even if you’ve smoked for a long time, stopping now can make a big difference. Your risk of lung cancer starts to drop right away, and after 15 years, it’s almost as low as if you’d never smoked.
Having a balanced diet and working out daily can also help lower your lung cancer risk. Try for a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low in fat. Exercise can also help relieve symptoms of lung cancer, such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
If you’re already dealing with lung cancer, talk to your doctor by booking an appointment on Cellmaflex about how much exercise is right for you. Even a little exercise can make a big difference!
Final Words
Lung cancer is a severe disease, but it’s essential to know that there are things you can do to lower your risk and enhance your chances of survival. The first step is to understand the different types of lung cancer. It is a crucial step towards taking control of your future.
If you think you’re at risk of lung cancer, it’s best to book an appointment on Cellmaflex with a cancer specialist.
Empower yourself with information about the types of lung cancer, and let it be your motivation to make healthier choices and take control of your future.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information is strictly for informative purposes. It is not intended to be used in lieu of professional medical advice, inclusive of diagnosis or treatment. It is strongly advised that you seek a doctor’s medical advice on any treatment or medical condition that you learn about.
Don’t just take our word for it, visit these sites:
Cleveland Clinic – Lung Cancer
National Cancer Institute – Lung Cancer—Patient Version
Medical News Today – Lung Cancer: Everything you need to know
If you find yourself interested, For more information.
