Download What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer

What You Need to Know About: Lung Cancer
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer begins when abnormal cells grow out of control in the lung and may
develop without any symptoms. It is often not diagnosed until the cancer has reached
an advanced stage. This form of cancer is the number one cause of cancer death
among both men and women.
What causes lung cancer?
About 90 percent of all cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking. Exposure to
secondhand smoke, arsenic, asbestos, radioactive dust, or radon can also increase
your chances of developing lung cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Early lung cancer usually has no symptoms. The most common symptoms of advanced
stage lung cancer include:
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Coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Coughing up bloody mucus
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
Your physician will ask you questions about family history and smoke exposure. If your
physician believes you could have lung cancer they will order a chest x-ray or a CT
scan. More tests will be performed to determine what kind of cancer cells are present
and if it has spread to other areas of the body.
How can you prevent lung cancer?
This is one of the easiest cancers to prevent because most cases are caused by
smoking. It is very important not to smoke or be around someone who smokes. If you
currently smoke, quitting can lower your chances of developing this cancer and help you
live longer.
PacificSource offers members two lifetime attempts at quitting smoking with the Free &
Clear Quit for Life program. For more information or to enroll in this program, call (866)
QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-8454).
Visit PacificSource.com for free online tools and resources
As a PacificSource member, you can access CaféWell, an online health engagement
portal. To get started, go to PacificSource.com, log into InTouch, and then click on the
CaféWell button.
Visit CaféWell to:
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Complete the health assessment to identify your potential health risks.
Get your health and wellness questions answered by an expert health coach.
Connect with family, friends, and others with similar health goals.
Access helpful tips and articles on health and wellness.
If you have questions about your coverage, a claim, or any benefit or service, please
visit PacificSource.com and log in to InTouch for Members to access information, or
contact our Customer Service team:
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Email: [email protected]
Phone:
Idaho: 208.333.1596 or 800.688.5008
Montana: 406.442.6589 or 877.590.1596
Oregon: 541.684.5582 or 888.977.9299
En Español: 541.684.5456 or 800.624.6052, ext. 1009
Other member resources:
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Enroll in Free & Clear Quit for Life Program by calling (866) QUIT-4-LIFE.
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Sign up for Hospital-based Smoking Cessation Classes. Various hospitals
also offer smoking cessation classes. PacificSource will reimburse up to $50 per
member per class (or class series), up to $150 per member per plan year. You
can find information on hospital-based classes in the For Our Members section of
the PacificSource Web site.
If you have questions about your member benefits, call our Customer Service
Department at (541) 684-5582 or (888) 977-9299, or e-mail [email protected].
Reference: © 2005-2010, WebMD, LLC, August 24, 2010, www.webmd.com