Lung Cancer Frequently Asked Questions Part 1

Lung Cancer FAQ These are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Lung Cancer, you can read it step by step and it will expain more details at next articles.

What is lung cancer?

In its simplest form, lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and cancer in one or other of the lungs. Groups of these cells form tumors, which make it difficult for the lungs to function properly.

Who gets lung cancer?

It is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in United States. More people die from lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be about 215,020 new cases of lung cancer in 2008, including 114,690 males and 100,330 females. Lung cancer is rare in people under 45 years of age. The possibility of life that the average man has a lung cancer is about 1 in 13. For women is 1 in 16. These figures include both smokers and nonsmokers, the risk is higher for smokers, the lowest for non-smokers. Lung cancer is one of the most deadly disease in United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Spain, etc.

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

In summary, the risk factors for lung cancer are smokers, snuff and smoking. The CDC reports that smoking is the major risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, approximately 90% of lung cancer deaths among men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking. Smokers are 10 to 20 times more likely to have lung cancer or death from lung cancer than nonsmokers. Snuff smoke is also linked with lung cancer. Other risk factors for this cancer are exposure to asbestos and radon, and family history of lung cancer.

What are the most common symptoms of lung cancer?

This is difficult because sometimes there are no symptoms of lung cancer. A quarter of people do not even have symptoms when their cancer is advanced lung cancer, the CDC reports. In other cases, symptoms that suggest lung cancer may include:

Shortness of breath
A cough that does not disappear
Wheezing
Fever
Weight loss
Spitting blood
Chest pain

Can lung cancer gets to non-smokers ?

March 2006 of lung cancer not smoking for the death of Dana Reeve, widow of Superman actor Christopher Reeve, shed light on this issue. It turns out that over 60% of patients with new lung cancer have never smoked or have quit, says the Alliance of lung cancer. In some of these people, exposure to secondhand smoke May in fact be a culprit. Reeve, for example, a cabaret singer, performed in clubs with a lot of smoke. So, in summary, if non-smokers can get lung cancer. Some cases of lung cancer develop after long-time smoker has left, although the risk decreases with time.