The American Lung Association reports that lung cancer is the most common type of cancer around the blog, accounting for 1.3 million deaths annually. The United States spends approximately $9.6 billion per year on lung cancer treatment. The greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer is cigarette smoke, which contributes to almost 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths.
Toxins
Cigarette smoke is the primary risk factor for developing lung cancer. Radon exposure is the second-greatest risk, followed by many other toxins, including asbestos.
Race
African-American males have a greater incidence of smoking-related lung cancer. The ALA reports a 34 percent higher incidence rate among black males when compared with white males of the same age and with similar smoking histories.
Genetics
People with a mutated CYP2D6 gene do not respond to tobacco carcinogens the way people with a normal gene do; therefore, these people have a lower risk of developing lung cancer even when exposed to cigarette smoke. Donna D. Ignatavicius, MS RN, and M. Linda Workman, Ph.D, authors of the 2006 "Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care" textbook, explain that about 10 percent of the U.S. population have this mutated gene and are thus protected. The rest of the population is at risk from tobacco toxin exposure.
Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, non small cell lung cancer causes 85 to 90 percent of all lung cancers. Generally slow spreading, NSCLC can be hard to detect in the early stages of disease.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
The ACS reports that although small cell lung cancer makes up only 10 to 15 percent of lung cancers, it is significant because SCLC spreads early and quickly to other parts of the body. SCLC is almost always caused by cigarette smoking.
Early Symptoms
For the most part, people with lung cancer find out they have lung cancer by going to see a doctor for an unrelated problem. The signs and symptoms of lung cancer are subtle and usually not noticed until the lung cancer has progressed. This is why the five-year survival rate is only 15.6 percent. Symptoms may be non-specific, especially if occurring late in the disease process. People may report fatigue and cough, maybe even chills and fever.
Late Symptoms
Frequent cough with blood-tinged sputum, shortness of breath and pain with breathing are later-stage symptoms. Health care providers may notice decreased breath sounds in an area of the lung if a tumor has developed, or hear wheezes when the patient breathes. Presence of a tumor will cause a dullness in the chest when providers percuss (tap) the lung over the tumor.
References
- American Lung Association: Lung Cancer Fact Sheet
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing--Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care"; Donna D. Ignatavicius MS RN and M. Linda Workman Ph.D; 2006
- American Cancer Society: Detailed Guide: Lung Cancer-Small Cell
