Download Lung Cancer

John Doyle, Jon Hood, Jimmy Svab
What is it?
Lung Cancer is the uncontrolled
growth of abnormal cells.
Abnormal cells do not develop into
healthy tissue.
Instead they divide rapidly and form
tumors.
What causes Lung Cancer?
Smoking, radon gas, asbestos, air pollution, it is not
inherited
People who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day have 25
times more of a chance to be diagnosed with lung cancer
The workplace is a common source for asbestos, used in
insulation, can cause mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura
of the lung or peritoneum)
Radon gas is responsible for 12% of lung cancer deaths
vehicles, industry, and power plants can make you more
likely to get lung cancer, up to 1% of lung cancer deaths
are because of polluted air
Lung Cancer’s effect on the body
Lung cancer tends to spread to the adrenal glands, liver,
the brain and the bones.
If lung cancer spreads to the brain, it can cause difficulties
with vision, seizures, weakness etc.
Metastatic lung cancer spreading towards the liver or
adrenal glands typically shows no symptoms at the time
of diagnosis.
When it affects the bones, it can cause acute pain, usually
in the thigh bones, the vertebrae and the ribs.
Lung cancer causes excessive coughing. The tumor that
grows inside the lung exerts pressure on the chest. This
leads to severe cough and sometimes, the patient may
produce a lot of sputum along with blood.
Different stages of Lung Cancer
1 – The tumor is found in only one lung with no
lymph nodes.
2 – the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
surround the infected lung.
3 - the cancer has spread to lymph nodes around
the trachea, chest wall, and diaphragm, on the
same side as the infected lung.
4 – the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes on
the other lung or in the neck.
5 - the cancer has spread throughout the rest of
the body and other parts of the lungs.
How is Lung Cancer detected?
Common ways to discover Lung Cancer are
Chest X-rays, bronchoscopy, CT scans, MRI
scans, and PET scans.
What are the treatments?
Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy,
prophylactic brain radiation, treatment of
recurrence, targeted therapy,
photodynamic therapy, radiofrequency
ablation, experimental therapies
Is there a cure?
There isn't really a cure but the best
chances of survival depend on when it was
diagnosed, if it was early or to late
It also depends on what type of lung cancer
the person has for the treatment to work
Preventing Lung Cancer
Don't smoke. If you've never smoked, don't start. Talk to your children about
not smoking so that they can understand how to avoid this major risk factor
for lung cancer. Begin conversations about the dangers of smoking with your
children early so that they know how to react to peer pressure.
Stop smoking. Stop smoking now. Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer,
even if you've smoked for years. Talk to your doctor about strategies and
stop-smoking aids that can help you quit. Options include nicotine
replacement products, medications and support groups.
Avoid secondhand smoke. If you live or work with a smoker, urge him or her
to quit. At the very least, ask him or her to smoke outside. Avoid areas where
people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and seek out smoke-free
options.
Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of
fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins and nutrients are best. Avoid
taking large doses of vitamins in pill form, as they may be harmful. For
instance, researchers hoping to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy
smokers gave them beta carotene
Additional information
Early lung cancer often does not cause symptoms. But as
the cancer grows, it takes a toll on the body and common
symptoms may include:
a cough that gets worse or does not go away
breathing trouble, such as shortness of breath
constant chest pain
coughing up blood
a hoarse voice
frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia
feeling very tired all the time
weight loss with no known cause
Support groups
Ohio
Columbus
James Care for Life
1-614-293-6428 or
1-800-293-5066
Elyria
Center for Body,
Vikki Howard
Mind & Spirit
Community Cancer
Center
1-440-324-0480
Chemicals
http://www.tricountycessation.org/tobaccofacts/Cigarette-Ingredients.html