Lung cancer doesn’t just impact you; it also affects those around you. Deaths caused by the lung disease lead in terms of cancer mortality for both men and women. In both genders, the disease is the second most common form of cancer. More deaths result from the lung disease than if you combine the deaths that stem from colon, prostate, and breast cancer. The bottom line is that lung cancer is a deadly disease and travels quickly.
Now, you should know that lung cancer can be prevented. This isn’t for every case; there are instances that individuals are diagnosed with lung cancer even though they have not been exposed to known risk factors.
Tobacco
The leading cause of cancer is smoking, with almost 80% of deaths from the lung disease believed to be linked to the activity. You increase your chances of lung cancer the longer you smoke. Don’t ignore the dangers that cigar and pipe smoking bring either; both are just as likely to cause the disease.
For those that don’t smoke, even being near other smokers poses a danger. Secondhand smoke is believed to be linked to 7,000 lung cancer-related deaths every year.
Radon
You cannot taste, smell, or see this radioactive natural gas, but it stems from when uranium breaks down from rocks. The gas is the leading cause amongst non-smokers for lung cancer. The radon levels in the environment are so low that it is not dangerous; but indoors is another story. The gas can be more concentrated, and breathing in even a small amount of it exposes your lungs and increases your risk.
These aren’t the only risk factors that you should be on the lookout for. Reduce your exposure to asbestos, chemicals and minerals, such as vinyl, chloride, and arsenic, and finally reduce the amount of air pollution you breathe in. You can do this by wearing masks that filter out air pollution as well as avoiding areas that can have unwanted chemicals without proper gear.
Yet, the most crucial piece of information that you should take from this article is that if you are diagnosed or you feel that something is wrong in your body, do not waste time getting it checked out by a doctor. Early detection is vital when it comes to lung cancer. It changes what you can do moving forward as well as what you should do. Early detection can help give you more treatment options.
My sister, Maria, passed away last year. She was only 51, was a longtime smoker and was unaware that she had cancer until she had an accident at work. Maria had fallen off a stool at work, and when she went to get a CT on her back, they discovered the lung disease. At first, she didn’t want to face what she had; she ended up losing precious time because of that.
Please, if you have any doubts or suspicions get checked immediately. Go to the doctor, see a lung specialist, don’t procrastinate on this.
In the memory of Maria, please don’t procrastinate.