Do you know the facts about lung cancer? Educating yourself about its causes and statistics can help you better protect yourself in the long run. When you arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible, you have one of the best possible weapons against this deadly disease. Taking necessary steps to learn as much as you can could save your life, especially if you have seen loved ones struggle with this terrible disease. Learn the facts and use them to protect your health. When you cut out as many risk factors as possible, such as smoking or being around second-hand smoke, it is also much easier to guard against developing lung cancer.
Here are some important facts about lung cancer.
1. It is more deadly than other types of cancer combined.
It is true. Lung cancer is linked to more women’s deaths than several other types of cancer combined. Cancers that affect women include breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vulva cancer, and vaginal cancer. The fact that lung cancer is responsible for more women’s deaths than all these combined is astounding.
2. Lung cancer is difficult to detect.
Unfortunately, lung cancer is usually in its last stages before it is ever detected. Treatment can still be done, but it is not likely to be successful at this point. It is interesting to note that lung cancer can take as long as twenty-five years to become apparent to doctors. Roughly half of new lung cancer patients are not diagnosed until the disease has reached its advanced stages. Unfortunately, there is no screening test that will catch lung cancer in its early stages.
3. Lung cancer is associated with genetic mutations.
Genetic mutations are notorious for causing cancer, and the ones linked with lung cancer are no exception. When the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has mutated, it can cause uncontrolled cell division. When cell division gets out of control, it can easily become cancerous if the cells encounter the right conditions. In addition, the new test drug Gefitinib’s effectiveness depends on the specific mutations that are present in the EGFR gene.
4. Radon gas has been associated with lung cancer.
In fact, radon gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. This harmful gas is generated by decaying uranium-238 in the soil. It is estimated that as many as eight million homes in the United States have high levels of radon, especially those that are located in the northern areas of the United States.
5. Smoking increases the chances of dying from lung cancer.
It is practically common knowledge that smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer, but here is some additional information. Did you know that a person who quits smoking when they are thirty years old has more than twice the risk of dying from lung cancer than someone who has never smoked? That is not all. A person who stops smoking when they are fifty years old has an astounding six-fold risk of dying of lung cancer.
References:
- Interesting Lung Cancer Facts
- Small cell lung cancer causes
- Wikipedia & Lung Cancer
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