6 risk factors that increase lung cancer

About one-third of cancer deaths are due to lung cancer, it is even stated that it is about to settle in the first place in new cancer types. The importance of environmental factors in lung cancer, where smoking is the biggest risk factor, is underlined.  Studies show that the age of catching lung cancer, which is more common in regions with increased industrialization, is between 50 and 65. Professor from Memorial Antalya Hospital Chest Diseases Department. Dr. Abdullah Erdoğan gave information about lung cancer and ways to prevent it.

Incidence of lung cancer in women is increasing

Two-thirds, or about 65%, of lung cancer is caused by preventable causes. The remaining one-third is caused by unavoidable conditions such as age, genetics and biological reasons. Lung cancer occupies the first place in the incidence of cancer in men in Turkey. However, studies conducted in recent years show that the incidence of lung cancer increases due to the increase in tobacco use by women. In catching lung cancer, environmental factors play an important role. The longer the exposure to environmental factors, the greater the risk. With the age, the effect of environmental factors on the incidence of lung cancer emerges.

• Risk factors that increase lung cancer are:
• Tobacco and tobacco products
• Air pollution
• Exposure to certain chemicals such as arsenic and radon gas by breathing
• Use of coal, carbon etc.
• Long-term chronic lung diseases
• Genetic causes
• Someone who smokes 1 pack a day is 80% more at risk

Tobacco and tobacco products are at the top of the lung cancer risks. The rate of smoking per pack/year is checked. If a person smokes 1 pack of cigarettes for 20 years, the chance of exposure to lung cancer increases 80 times compared to non-smokers. If 2 packs of cigarettes were smoked a day for 10 years, this is also equivalent to the risk of consumption of 1 pack per 20 years. When new cancer diagnoses are examined, it is seen that 8 out of 10 cancers are related to tobacco use.

If the person is caught in the early stage, the life expectancy increases to 85%.

Controlling tobacco and tobacco use, eliminating lung cancer risk factors and catching lung cancer at an earlier stage with early diagnosis play a major role in preventing lung cancer. Although lung cancer causes a high rate of loss of life, if it is caught at an early stage, the later life expectancy can increase to 85%. For this reason, health policies such as screening methods, awareness and early referral to a physician should be developed.

The symptoms of lung cancer:

• Cough
• Weakness
• Rapid weight loss
• Change in appetite
• shortness of breath
• Night and timeless sweating
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Swallowing difficulties
• Cough with bloody sputum
• The most effective method is surgery

Lung cancer types are divided into small cell and non-small cell types. Less than 10 percent are called small cell lung cancer, and the vast majority are called non-small cell lung cancer. Other than small cell adenocarcinoma, which is more common in women, there are squamous cell and primary sarcomas of the lung. Adenocancer and squamous cell cancers can be operated when detected at an early stage. But because of the rapid spread of small cell cancer and metastases to the lymph node, surgery is not usually performed. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy provide success in this type of cancer. But the most effective method in lung cancer is surgery. Therefore, if the non-small cell type tumor is detected at an early stage, the method used is surgery.

Prepared by the Medical Editorial Board. Our health library contents have been prepared for informational purposes only and with the scientific content on the registration date. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis or treatment about your health, please consult your doctor or health institution.