Lung cancer is primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Lung cancer often has more particular symptoms until its advanced and has low rate of survival. Treatment mainly involves surgery and chemotherapy.
Causes and Risk Factors
Cigarette smoke contains cancer-causing agents that directly damage lung cells. Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer; however, people who have never smoked can also develop the disease.
Risk factors for lung cancer include:
• Smoking
• Second hand smoke
• High indoor levels of radon
• Asbestos
• Air pollution
• Radiation therapy
• Arsenic
• Workplace chemicals
• Family history of lung cancer
• High-dose beta-carotene dietary supplements.
Patients with lung cancer doesn’t exhibit any symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms typically start when lung cancer is already advanced. Symptoms include:
• Persistent cough
• Cough with bloody sputum
• Weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Stridor
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Bone pain
• Abdominal pain
• Headache.
Smoking by far, is the main cause of lung cancer. Therefore, not smoking and avoidance of second hand smoke will markedly reduce the risk of lung cancer.
