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Lung cancer |
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Lung cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells form in the lung tissue, usually in the cells lining air passages. These abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and form lumps of abnormal cells (tumours) which make it impossible for the lungs to function properly.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK after breast cancer. There are over 38,000 new cases of lung cancer each year in the UK. The vast majority of lung cancers are smoking related. However, not all smokers develop lung cancer. Quitting smoking reduces an individual's risk significantly. Risk reduction becomes evident within five years of abstinence from smoking. With further abstinence the risk continues to decline. However, former smokers remain at higher risk than people who never smoked. And therefore there are great health benefits in never starting smoking.
Risk factors:
smoking and passive smoking, exposure to tobacco smoke in general
exposure to certain carcinogens (radon, asbestos)
exposure to certain industrial substances (arsenic)
some organic chemicals
radiation exposure from occupational, medical and environmental sources
air pollution
tuberculosis
Lung cancers are generally categorised by cell type, such as small cell or non-small cell carcinomas. There are different treatment options small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. To find out more, click here.
Further general information Your doctors and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to give you relevant information on your disease and treatment as they know your individual circumstances. Cancerbackup has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize winning video available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explaining Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk has over 500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool which patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the cancer journey. Information about mesothelioma can be found on www.PleuralMesothelioma.com