6 Crucial Facts About Lung Cancer

1-Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It is characterized by the abnormal division and multiplication of cells within the lungs and bronchial tubes causing the accumulation of tumor cells into a cancer.
2- In the United States alone, approximately 10,000 people die from asbestos-related illnesses, and many of these people are victims of lung cancer.

3-There are two basic types of lung cancer - small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, the latter of which represents the large majority of lung cancer cases diagnosed in the United States each year. In patients with lung cancer, the tissue cells of the lungs and associated respiratory organs begin to divide abnormally at an uncontrollable rate. Cancers that develop in the lungs may metastasize to other regions of the body. These growths are composed of cells similar to those of the original tumor and are just as likely to pose a health threat to the afflicted person.

4-The symptoms of lung cancer are many and vary according to individual cases and factors. Some of the more common symptoms of lung cancer include persistent coughing, chest pain, changes in the color, volume, or consistency of sputum, the presence of blood in sputum, weight loss, or decrease in appetite, headaches, and general fatigue. Although these symptoms may indicate the presence of lung cancer, they are not by any means a certain measure of diagnosis.

5-A person experiencing these symptoms must seek a medical analysis for an accurate diagnosis. Imaging tests like chest x-ray, CTscan, MRI, PET scans are used to diagnose the disease. Also tissue tests known as biopsy are also used to confirm the diagnosis.

6- According to experts in the field of asbestos and lung cancer, there are a number of factors that can affect a person's level of risk for developing lung cancer once they have been exposed to asbestos. The amount of asbestos exposure and the quantity of fibers that have collected in the body greatly affect one's risk of developing cancer. It is important to remember that, as with most cancers, lifestyle plays a considerable role in the risk of developing lung cancer after exposure to asbestos. Smokers and other people who have a lung condition (or any illness) prior to exposure are at a greater risk for developing asbestos-related lung cancer, not only because their respiratory system has already been compromised, but also because of the synergistic affect of smoking and asbestos exposure. Many people who are exposed to asbestos develop non-cancerous respiratory illnesses, such as asbestosis, which also increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Reference:Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com