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What Is Lung Cancer?
L
ung cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs.
The body is made up of different types of cells that normally divide and multiply in an orderly way. These new cells replace older cells. This process of cell birth and renewal occurs constantly in the body. Abnormal cells also periodically normally appear but are removed by natural defense mechanisms.
Cancer, also known as a malignant growth, occurs when:
• When the body's natural defenses, such as certain parts of the immune and other protective systems, cannot stop the uncontrolled cell division, cancer begins.
• These abnormal cells become greater and greater in number, and come together to form a tumor, which is a cellular growth that forms a progressively enlarging mass. Such tumors are benign unless they invade surrounding tissues and organs, in which case they are malignant.
Cancerous tumors grow out of control and can invade, replace, and destroy normal cells near the tumor. In some cases, cancer cells spread (or metastasize) to other areas of the body.
Lung cancer generally takes many years to develop even though damage to the lungs may occur shortly after a person is exposed to cancer-causing substances.
CAUSES OF LUNG CANCER
Cigarette Smoking
C
igarette (tobacco) contains carsinogens, which irritate and damage the cells in the lungs and airways. Over time, these damaged cells may become cancerous. The likelihood that a smoker will develop lung cancer is affected by the age at which smoking began, how long the person has smoked, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and how deeply the smoker inhales. Stopping smoking greatly reduces a person's risk for developing lung cancer. If you smoke, you should quit smoking now.
Cigar and Pipe Smoking
Studies have shown that cigar and pipe smokers have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than nonsmokers. As with cigarette smokers, the number of years a person smokes, the number of pipes or cigars smoked per day, and how deeply the person inhales all affect the risk of developing lung cancer. Even cigar and pipe smokers who do not inhale are at increased risk for lung, mouth, and other types of cancer. If you smoke, you should quit smoking now.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is an exposure to smoke while in the presence of smokers. People living in a home or working in an environment where smoking is permitted, increases their risks for developing lung cancer. Secondhand smoke has also been termed environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), involuntary smoking, or passive smoking.
Radon
Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rocks. It can cause damage to the lungs that may lead to lung cancer. People who work in mines may be exposed to radon. Radon can also be found in homes. Radon Home Test kits can be purchased at most hardware stores. They are relatively easy to use and inexpensive. Once a radon problem is corrected, the hazard is gone for good.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber used in certain industries. Asbestos fibers tend to break easily into particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. When the particles are inhaled, they can lodge in the airways and lungs, irritating the airway lining and damaging cells. Asbestos inhalation can lead to a lung disease called asbestosis and mesothelioma.. Studies have shown that workers who have been exposed to large amounts of asbestos have a risk of developing lung cancer that is 3 to 4 times greater than that for workers who have not been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos workers should use the protective equipment provided by their employers and follow recommended work practices and safety procedures.
Pollution
Many studies have found a link between lung cancer and exposure to certain air pollutants, such as by-products of the combustion of diesel and other fossil fuels. However, research on this matter is still ongoing.