Causes of lung cancer, not only from cigarettes
Cigarettes can indeed increase the risk of lung cancer to death. But not only that, there are other causes to be wary of.
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins and stems from the malignant cell growth in the lungs. Not only from active smoking habits and exposure, but several other factors contribute to the cause of lung cancer.
Lung cancer includes the type of cancer with the highest incidence rate in men, which is 19.4 per 100 thousand, with an average depth of 10.9 per 100 thousand inhabitants.
Active smokers have the biggest risk of lung cancer, although this cancer can also occur in people who do not smoke.
The risk of lung cancer increases with the length of time and the number of cigarettes you smoke. If quitting smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce the chances of developing lung cancer.
Nevertheless, cigarettes are not the only cancer-causing factor. Other things are mentioned to be able to trigger lung cancer.
Symptoms of lung cancer
Lung cancer usually does not cause signs and symptoms at the earliest stage. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer usually occur only when the disease is already advanced.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer in general are:
- A new cough that does not heal
- Cough blood, despite the slight amount
- Shortness of breath
- Chest Pain
- Prolonged Hoarseny
- Weight loss without a clear cause
- Bone pain
- Head Pain
Classification of lung cancer
Lung cancer is divided into two main types based on the appearance of cancer cells under the microscope. Doctors will usually make treatment decisions based on the type of primary lung cancer patients have.
Two common types of lung cancer include:
1. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
SCLC is a more aggressive form of lung cancer with cancer cells tend to grow rapidly and carry out metastases to other organs of the body.
As a result, this condition can usually be diagnosed after cancer spreads throughout the body, thus making the healing rate low. But when detected early, SCLC can be treated more effectively before cancer continues.
2. Non-Small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
NSCLC has four types of adenocarcinoma, bronchoalveolar, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
A person with this type of cancer has a small life opportunity if it is not immediately resolved from the beginning. Some 90 NSCLC cases are caused by cigarette smoke, both active and passive smokers.
But even if not all smokers experience this, but they have a risk of up to 13.3 times compared to those who do not smoke.
Factors causing lung cancer
Several factors may increase the risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, for example by quitting smoking. However, some other factors cannot be controlled, such as a family history.
In addition to cigarettes, lung cancer risk factors include:
- A Radon gas exposure
Radon is produced from the natural breakdown of uranium in soils, rocks, and water that eventually becomes part of the free air you breathe. Unsafe radon levels can accumulate in any part of the building, including your home.
- Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogenic materials
Exposure to asbestos in the workplace and other substances is known to cause cancer such as arsenic, chromium, and nickel may also increase the risk of developing lung cancer, especially if you are a smoker.
- Family history with lung cancer
Individuals with parents, siblings, or children with a history of lung cancer have an increased risk of doubling when compared to those who do not.
- Unbalanced diet and nutritional intake
Essentially, the body has a mechanism to repair damaged cells due to exposure to chemicals or pollution. In other words, it is part of the body's immunity to defend itself.
However, if the nutritional intake helped to help the body's immunity is not fulfilled, then the ability to regenerate the ability of the body inward off free radicals will decline. It can trigger a variety of harmful diseases, no exception to cancer.
Thus some causes of lung cancer are not only triggered by cigarettes. Lung cancer can be prevented by avoiding these factors. Also, live a healthy life, exercise regularly, manage stress well, and take health control periodically to detect any abnormalities of health disorders early on.