Radon: Radon in homes and workplaces has been identified as a significant risk factor for lung cancer. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas in the ground.
Factors at work and in the environment:
Substances at work or in the environment can increase a person’s risk of developing lung cancer.
Age: As people get older, their chances of developing lung cancer rise. After the age of 40, the risk of developing lung cancer gradually rises each year.
Family history and genetic predisposition: Some people are predisposed to lung cancer due to a genetic mutation. Anyone who has a first-degree relative who has lung cancer is at a higher risk of developing the disease themselves.
Lung disease and other cancers: People who have had another type of cancer may be predisposed to developing lung cancer. This is especially true for people who have had tobacco-related cancers, such as throat cancer, or who have had radiation treatment in the area of their chest.
Lung Cancer Screening
The most important steps to reduce the risk of lung cancer are to stop smoking, check for radon in the home and address it if necessary, and use mandatory protection in hazardous-substance workplaces. Screening for lung cancer is not recommended for people who are thought to be at low risk. However, lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans can reduce the risk of death from lung cancer in people at high risk.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
When lung cancer is in its early stages, a person may feel normal and exhibit no symptoms. However, most people develop one or more symptoms if their cancer progresses to an advanced stage.
The following are the most common symptoms of lung cancer:
Cough, I’m coughing up blood. Breathing difficulties, Infections of the chest, Wheezing, Pain in the chest that can be dull, sharp, or stabbing. Hoarseness of the voice Headache and facial, arm, or swelling neck Pain in the arms, shoulders, and neck.
Initial Diagnosis And Testing
If you have symptoms that point to lung cancer, your doctor will ask you detailed questions about them and perform a physical exam. If your results are still concerning, additional tests will be ordered, such as blood work and X-rays or scans.
Additional testing is performed to diagnose cancer if a chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or positron emission tomography (PET) scan reveals an abnormality that could be cancer.
If the tumor is small or other biopsy procedures have not been conclusive, surgery may be required to remove it altogether.