Symptoms and factors of Lung cancer : Ways to prevent this deadly disease

Lung cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These cells can interfere with the lung’s function of providing oxygen to the whole body (via blood).

Factors causing lung cancer

Smoking: The number of cigarettes you smoke each day along with the number of years you have smoked increases your risk of cancer. You can lower your risk of developing lung cancer by quitting at the earliest.

Exposure to mineral carcinogens like asbestos:Carcinogens are substances, which are capable of causing cancer in a living tissue. Exposure to asbestos and substances at workplace (like arsenic, nickel and chromium) can increase your chance of developing lung cancer (especially if you’re a smoker).

Exposure to radioactive gas: Also know as radon gas, this is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, eventually becoming a part of the air you breathe. Unsafe levels of radon gas can assemble in any building, including homes. People in jobs that involve being close to industrial waste or fumes may be at risk of this disease.

Family history of lung cancer: People with a child, sibling or parent with lung cancer have an increased risk of the disease.

Exposure to second-hand smoke/passive smoking: Your risk of lung cancer increases if you’re exposed to second-hand smoke (even if you don’t smoke).

It is important that you are aware of the first signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The earlier you diagnose it the better and easier it is to treat it. Take note of the following first signs of lung cancer.

Symptoms

It may be a sign of lung cancer if you have a cough that gets worse/does not go away

In case you’re coughing up rust-coloured sputum or blood, get a blood test done as it may be a sign .

Another sign of lung cancer is feeling shortness of breath. If you feel for a long period of time, you must go for a diagnosis.

If your throat is feeling hoarse, it may be one of the first signs .

It can make you feel weak or tired.

In case infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia keep coming back, it may be a symptom of this disease.

Severe chest pain or chest pain that is getting worse with time can also be a sign of this disease.

It may also cause unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite.

Thus, this disease shows symptoms that you might tend to ignore. Make sure you take the aforementioned symptoms seriously and go for lung cancer diagnosis. It can be fatal, especially if it reaches an advanced stage.