Lung cancer – know the risk factors and symptoms

Learn about lung cancer

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Lung cancer occurs when these cells begin to grow in the lungs and may spread to other organs in the body.³ There are two main kinds of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, with non-small cell lung cancer making up 85% of these cancers.⁴

The main causes of lung cancer includes smoking, second-hand smoke, exposure to certain toxins and family history.⁵ Cigarette smoking is a major contributor to lung cancer (small cell and non-small cell cancer) accounting for 90% of the reported cases. While in non-smokers, the lifetime risk is 20-30% higher on exposure to environmental smoke.⁶

Understand the risk factors

Patients at a higher risk of developing lung cancer include:⁵

• Current or former tobacco smokers.
• Those exposed to environmental factors e.g. passive smoking.
• Those exposed to occupational factors e.g. radon, asbestos, diesel exhaust, silica or air.
• Those with personal factors, such as family history of lung cancer, personal history of cancer or personal history of chronic lung disease e.g. COPD.

Never ignore symptoms

The symptoms are very rare in the early stages but becomes prominent as the disease progresses. The most commonly occurring symptoms in lung cancer patients are persistent or worsening cough with presence of blood or rust coloured sputum, chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, persistent shortness of breath, new onset of wheezing or recurring chest infections e.g. bronchitis or pneumonia.^7,8 Less common symptoms include hoarseness in your voice, pain or difficulty when swallowing, changes in the appearance of the fingers (finger clubbing) and swelling in the face or neck.⁷

Get knowledge on the treatment options

After considering factors, such as general health status, the type and stage of the cancer and personal choices, a particular treatment approach will be suggested by the doctor.⁹

Surgery is often performed when the cancer is confined to the lungs. It involves removal of the cancer as well as a margin of healthy tissue. If the cancer is larger, then the doctor may advise to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy prior to surgery to shrink the cancer. If there is a chance that cancer cells will be left behind after surgery or recurrence of cancer is possible, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be suggested after surgery.⁹

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (like X-rays) to kill the cancer cells. It may help relieve symptoms, such as pain, in advanced lung cancers and those that have spread to other parts of the body.⁹

Chemotherapy involves use of medicines to shrink or kill the cancer cells. The drugs can either be taken orally or given intravenously. Chemotherapy is commonly used post-surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. It can be used alone or combined with radiation therapy. It is beneficial in reducing pain and other symptoms in advanced lung cancer patients.⁹

Targeted drug therapy comprises of oral or intravenous drugs which blocks the growth and spread of cancer. These drugs are used in lung cancers that have specific mutations in their DNA.^9,10

Stereotactic body radiotherapy, also known as radiosurgery, is an intense radiation targeting cancer cells with multiple beams of radiation from various angles. This therapy can be considered for patients with small cell lung cancers who are unable to undergo surgery in advanced cases where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.⁹

Immunotherapy uses the ability of the immune system to fight the disease. It is generally used for people with locally advanced lung cancers and cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.⁹

Early diagnosis will help to control the disease and improve the quality of life of lung cancer patients.²