Download Lung Cancer - Jacob Tyvol

Lung Cancer
By: Jake Tyvol
What is lung cancer?
• Cancer itself is defined as a group of abnormal cells that don’t develop into
regular tissues and divide rapidly while also creating tumors. Lung cancer is
simply specific to one or both lungs
Lung Cancer in family history
• Both my mothers side and fathers side have an extensive history of smoking
however my grandpa on my mothers side is the only one to have ever
developed lung cancer as a result of smoking. He smoked cigars for 30+
years and when the cancer was finally caught it was to late for any form of
treatment
Common Causes of Lung Cancer
• Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Over 90% of lung
cancer deaths are attributed to smoking cigarettes and 87% of all lung cancer
patients were previously smokers
• In addition being exposed to second hand smoke on a regular basis leads to a 24% greater
chance of developing lung cancer
• Also exposure to asbestos and radon gases make up for around 22,000 lung cancer
deaths a year. Both of these were very common in work places until recently
• It is estimated that 1 in 15 US homes are contaminated with radon gas which can seep in
from the ground or faulty pipework as an odorless, colorless gas just like carbon monoxide
Populations and Age Groups Afflicted
• While lung cancer generally affects those in the age group 50-75, people are
most at risk about 15 years after they quit smoking.
• Less than 2% of all lung cancer cases occur in people younger than age 45
• Also, men are at an increased risk for developing lung cancer and average
about 10,000 more cases than women per year
Lung Cancer Treatment
• Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are the most common forms of
treating lung cancer. However depending on what stage the cancer is in when
the diagnosis is made, treatment may not be possible
Effects of lung cancer
• Often times the individual suffers painful side effects due to chemotherapy
including hair loss, vomiting, and weight loss
• Often times a lung cancer patient will have lots of emotional baggage if they
were previously a smoker. They may feel guilt or shame about their past
smoking habits
• Other physical effects of living with lung cancer include mild to severe
shortness of breath, nausea and fatigue
Health Careers involved in diagnosis/treatment
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Medical oncologists- physicians who specialize in treating cancer
Oncology nurses- administer treatment to cancer patient and monitor side effects
Social workers- provide support to family and patient
Pathologists- determine if the cancer is spreading and what stage the cancer is in
Thoracic surgeons- if the cancer is operable, these specialists will remove cancerous
tumors from the patients lungs
Works Cited
• Olendorf, Donna, Christine Jeryan, and Karen Boyden. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine.
Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 1999. Print.
• Macmillan Health Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Macmillan Reference USA, 1999. Print.
• "Your Treatment Team.“lungcancer.org. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://www.lungcancer.org/>.
• "What Are the Key Statistics About Lung Cancer." www.cancer.org. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2Fcancer%2Flungcancer-nonsmallcell%2Fdetailedguide%2Fnon-small-cell-lung-cancer-key-statistics>.
• "Lung Caner." www.patientresoure.com. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.patientresource.com/Lung_Cancer_Side_Effects.aspx>.