Lung Cancer Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Normally, early recognition of cancer symptoms is crucial for the most successful treatment and recovery.

Unfortunately, early detection of lung cancer symptoms is rare and by the time these symptoms are evident, metastasis has already taken place.

Cancer spreads to other parts of the body by releasing cells into the lymph or bloodstream. The migration process is commonly called metastasis.

Lung cancer develops most often in scarred or diseased lungs, and is usually far advanced when detected.

As a result, by the time lung cancer symptoms are noticed, the prognosis is usually poor and the long term survival rate is not good.

Even if the disease is localized, the survival rate is only 35% and the overall average survival rate for all persons afflicted with the disease is only 13%.

Hopefully, though, help is on the way!

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Lung cancer symptoms include:

• Persistent cough
• Breathing difficulty
• Wheezing and fatigue
• Chronic upper respiratory tract infections
• Pus or blood-streaked sputum
• Chest tightness or chest pain
• Repeated attacks of bronchitis or pneumonia

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is mainly attributable to cigarette smoking and is a respiratory disorder.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the United States with more than 170,000 cases being diagnosed each year.

The level of occurrences for women is rising rapidly.

Risks factors: What are the causes of lung cancer. How do you get it?

Cigarette smoking accounts for most cases of lung cancer and is believed to be responsible for more than 80% of the occurences.

Not only is cigarette smoking the single biggest cause of lung cancer cases, it is the single biggest cause of cancer deaths, yet it is one of the most preventable cause of death in our society.

In 1982, the US Surgeon General’s Report states, "Cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer mortality in the United States."

This statement is still as true today as it was when the Surgeon General made the declaration in 1982.

Other causes of lung cancer include over exposure to asbestos, arsenic, beryllium, chromium, coal products, ionizing radiation, iron oxide, nickel, petroleum, uranium, and various other chemicals.

What does the disease do?

According to Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia:

Squamous cell carcinomas usually begin in the larger bronchi, often causing bronchial obstruction and spreading by direct extension and lymph node metastasis. Adenocarcinomas are peripheral tumors that begin in fibrotic lung tissue and spread through the bloodstream, commonly metastasizing to the brain, liver, and bone. Large cell undifferentiated carcinoma, which may arise in any area of the lung, disseminates early, spreading through the bloodstream. Small cell carcinoma is centrally located and is the fastest growing type of lung cancer, with rapid metastasis to the brain, liver, and bone.

Lung cancers spread widely to other organs. Oat-cell carcinomas, which resemble tiny oat seeds, usually invade bone marrow, whereas large-cell lung cancers spread to lymph nodes in the chest and the gastrointestinal system.

Traditional treatment for Lung cancer

• Surgery

  Surgery is the most effective treatment, but only one-half of the cases can be treated by surgery by the time the disease is detected.

  Surgery is not performed if cancer cells are found in nearby lymph nodes.

• Drugs

• Radiation and chemotherapy

  Radiation is used to treat localized lesions and cancers not treatable by surgery.

  Chemotherapy is especially prescribed for oat-cell carcinoma.

Prevention and recommendation

Although it is strongly recommended that proper screening for Lung cancer symptoms be done regularly because early recognition of cancer symptoms is crucial for successful treatment and recovery, early detection of lung cancer symptoms is rare.

Generally, by the time lung cancer symptoms are evident, metastasis has already taken place.

Cigarette smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer deaths and the most preventable cause of death in our society.

Cessation of smoking is the single biggest preventive action in combating lung cancer.

It stands to reason, therefore, that early detection of lung cancer symptoms is not a high probability scenario because lung cancer symptoms are usually detected when the disease is already advanced.

The absolute best option is prevention.

A good place to start is by being educated about the dangers of cigarette smoking and environmental irritants.

It is, if at all possible, by far the preferred option to do everything within ones control to adopt a healthy lifestyle because prevention is one's best defence against this disease.

The fight against cancer not only entails the early recognition of cancer symptoms, it also requires food and lifestyle changes.

• Find a good nutritional supplement program and stick to it. The Journal of the American Medical Association recommends that every adult take a daily multi-vitamin supplement to support their diet and help to prevent disease.
• drink at least 8 glasses of water a day


• use a colon cleanser 4 times a year (every quarter). In fact, it is a good idea that before you start any suppliment program, you first cleanse, thereafter you nourish and protect.


• make your own juice with a juice machine


• more important than calories is eating the right foods


• avoid snacking between meals unless it's carrot and celery sticks


• do not drink soda pop, other junk food drinks


• if you drink coffee or alcohol, do so only in moderation


• avoid processed foods, white sugar, white flour


• brown rice is good


• avoid red meat and animal fats


• reduce dairy products, cheese, milk, and others


• get enough sleep. It is believed that the body’s healing hormones are most active between 10.00 PM and 2.00 AM at nights.


• light to moderate exercise


• avoid artificial sweeteners


• avoid smoking -both first and second hand smoke


• never skip meals - this can slow down your metabolism


• eat a balance and varied diet


• don't deprive yourself of foods you love, just eat them in smaller portions and less frequently.


• watch less TV: read more, especially inspirational books, e.g."The Game Of Life" by Florence Scovel Shinn. (This you can   )



• Red wine has Resveratrol, an antioxidant. These work to protect your body against the effects of aging. One or 2 glasses of red wine a day can help keep your body young.


• Smiling does wonders to your attitude, endears you to people and counteracts the effects of stress. Smiling can actually improve your mood.


• Fast and Pray ..you will find surprising improvement in all aspects of life and healing

Early recognition of cancer symptoms and prevention cannot be overstated.

For more information about cancer symptoms, go to The American Cancer Society

To read an informative article about not only cancer symptoms, but also cancer risks and the importance of adopting healthy life styles, click here.

Web www.womens-health-symmetry.com

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