Lung Cancer awareness month… The leading killer among all cancers
November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to shed light on the disease and the changes it brings to one’s life when diagnosed.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with the highest death rates among both men and women, according to the World Health Organization.
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the lungs, posing a serious health problem causing significant damage and even death.
Due to lung cancer, a greater number of people die compared to colon, pancreatic, and prostate cancers combined. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, responsible for 85% of all cases.
The organization mentioned that ‘lung cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited.’ Therefore, it is important for individuals at high risk to undergo early detection, significantly improving survival rates.
Signs of Lung Cancer
The Public Health Agency (PHA) highlighted signs and symptoms of lung cancer that people should not overlook, including:
- Persistent cough (for more than 3 weeks)
- Coughing up blood or blood-streaked phlegm
- Chest or shoulder pain
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing in the chest
- Hoarse voice
- Changes in fingertip appearance
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Back Pain… Early warning of these diseases
Preventive Measures for Lung Cancer
There are ways to reduce the risk of lung cancer, including:
- Quitting smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Consuming healthy foods
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Engaging in more physical activity
The World Health Organization stated that other risk factors to avoid for preventing the disease include:
- Secondhand smoke
- Air pollution
- Workplace hazards such as chemicals and asbestos
- Early treatment can prevent lung cancer from worsening and spreading to other parts of the body.
