Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Anguilla, among both men and women. Unfortunately, this cancer receives very little attention. In recent years the prognosis for this cancer has improved but, overall, the prognosis is not very good following late diagnosis. People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer, though lung cancer can also occur in people who have never smoked.
What is lung cancer?
Cancer that begins in the lungs is called primary lung cancer. Cancer that spreads to the lungs from another place in the body is known as secondary lung cancer. This article will focus on primary lung cancer. There are two main types of primary lung cancer. These are classified by the type of cells in which the cancer starts. They are:
• non-small-cell lung cancer – the most common type, accounting for more than 80% of cases; can be either squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma
• small-cell lung cancer – a less common type that usually spreads faster than non-small-cell lung cancer.
Lung cancer affects mainly older people. It is rare in people younger than 40, and the rates of lung cancer rise sharply with age. Lung cancer is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 70-74.
What are the causes of lung cancer?
Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers — both in smokers and in people exposed to secondhand smoke. Lung cancer also occurs in people who never smoked, and in those who never had prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of lung cancer.
Risk factors for lung cancer
A number of factors may increase your risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, for instance, by quitting smoking. Other factors cannot be controlled, such as your family history.
Risk factors for lung cancer include:
• Smoking. Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day, and the number of years you have smoked. Quitting at any age can significantly lower your risk of developing lung cancer.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke. Even if you do not smoke, your risk of lung cancer increases if you are exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Exposure to radon gas. Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually becomes part of the air you breathe. Unsafe levels of radon can accumulate in any building, including homes.
• Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens. Workplace exposure to asbestos and other substances known to cause cancer — such as arsenic, chromium and nickel.
• Family history of lung cancer. People with a parent, sibling or child with lung cancer have an increased risk of the disease.
What are some signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
Lung cancer typically does not cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer typically occur only when the disease is advanced. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:
• A new cough that does not go away
• Coughing up blood, even a small amount
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Losing weight without trying
• Bone pain
Testing for lung cancer in individuals at risk
People with an increased risk of lung cancer may consider annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans. Lung cancer screening is generally offered to people 55 and older who smoked heavily for many years and are otherwise healthy. If you are at risk of lung cancer, discus this with your doctor. Together you can decide whether lung cancer screening is right for you. If you have symptoms suggestive of lung cancer seek medical advice so that the appropriate test can be done.
Treating lung cancer
Treatment depends on the type of cancer, how far it is spread and how good your general health is.
If the condition is diagnosed early, and the cancerous cells are confined to a small area, surgery to remove the affected area of lung is usually recommended.
If surgery is unsuitable due to your general health, radiotherapy to destroy the cancerous cells may be recommended instead.
If the cancer has spread too far for surgery or radiotherapy to be effective, chemotherapy is usually used.
Survival rates for lung cancer can vary widely – depending on how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis. Early diagnosis can make a big difference.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is one of the leading cancers in many countries, including Anguilla. Lung cancer is usually associated with smoking, but the cancer can occur in non-smokers as well. As lung cancer stages advance, lung cancer symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and bloody mucus. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. If you have symptoms suggestive of lung cancer, or have risk factors for lung cancer, seek medical attention.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).
