Smoking And Lung Cancer
What is Lung Cancer
The lungs are two large sponge-like organs in our chest that enable us to breathe. We take in oxygen-rich air through our nose, via the windpipe (trachea) into air sacs where gaseous exchange takes place. Oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide escapes into the air. Toxic substances in cigarette smoke damage both the windpipe and lungs. When these cells become abnormal, cancer can develop.
As the cancer grows, it invades neighbouring organs such as the heart and chest wall. It also spreads to lymph glands around the airway and to other parts of the body.
Risk Factors
According to the Singapore Cancer Society, the most important risk factor is cigarette smoking: 90% of lung cancer in men and 79% in women are due to tobacco smoking. A smoker has a 15 times higher risk of lung cancer!
- · Pipe and cigar smoking. The risk of lung cancer is also increased for this group of smokers.
- · Passive smokers. Non-smoking wives who inhale their husband’s smoke have a 35% higher risk of lung cancer.
Signs & Symptoms
Lung cancer is more common in male smokers above 50. The main symptoms are:
- General weakness, tiredness and weight loss
- New cough or change in pattern of chronic cough
- Blood in sputum (haemoptysis)
- Shortness of breath
- Recurrent chest infection and fever
- Chest pain
- Symptoms of metastases of the lung cancer – swollen liver, pallor, lymph gland enlargement
Screening For Lung Cancer
The aim of screening in general is for early detection of cancer in the population. Hopefully, with early detection and adequate treatment, the death rate from cancer can be reduced.
Two simple screening tests for lung cancer are available:
- Chest x-ray
- Sputum cytology (analysis of sputum for cancer cells)
For a person in the high risk group (e.g. adult smoker) should be advised to go for an annual chest x-ray and sputum cytology test.
Prevention
The most effective method is to cut down on tobacco smoking. In addition to lung cancer, tobacco smoking is associated with other cancers such as stomach, larynx and oral cavity cancers. Smokers also have an increased risk of heart attacks and impotency. Hence cessation of smoking reduces the risk of many diseases.
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