Lung Cancer - What You Need to Know:
By Ann Morrell RN, Health Writer
Lung cancer is common in the U.S and the leading cause of death killing 1.8 million people each year. Exposure to environmental toxins and overall health can play a role in developing lung cancer. There are two major types of cancer and treatments can vary. Those between the ages of 50-80 are most affected but we are seeing a rise in severe lung diseases with the ever growing practice of vaping or use of e-cigarettes among young people. Risks include exposure to radon gas, previous radiation exposure, arsenic and of course smoking or exposure and second hand smoke. According to the Mayo clinic, most lung cancers are caused by smoking, but it can occur in those who have never been exposed to smoke. Knowing your risks and getting screened are two important factors to maintain your health and well-being.
Early stages of lung cancer are usually without symptoms, but later stages can cause a new cough that won’t go away, cough with blood, chest pain, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Lung cancer can spread to other areas of the body and cause bone pain, headache, weight loss, and loss of appetite. The importance of screening cannot be understated. If you are at risk, a smoker or notice any changes in your health, a visit with your provider is worth the time.
Because tobacco plants have so many pests, growers use many pesticides to ensure a profitable crop. These pesticides can contain carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals). Exposure to these carcinogens causes damage almost immediately from smoke inhalation and although the body can fight this short term damage, over time long term exposure can increase the risk of developing cancer. But tobacco isn’t the only carrier of these dangers; a new product is causing more hospitalizations each year among younger people.
The general term “vaping” is the use of e-cigarettes in place of standard rolled tobacco products. E-cigarettes may contain fruity flavors, nicotine, and heavy metals like lead and nickel. The user inhales a smokeless product that delivers similar effect to a regular cigarette but without the stigma associated with tobacco products and because it is smokeless, use in public is more widely accepted. Popularity has increased among younger users for several reasons, and the addition of fruity, candy-like flavors has major appeal especially for young people. The CDC reports 2800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths from a condition called EVALI or E-cigarette Vaping Associated Lung injury. Lung inflammation, COPD, and cancer are a few of the injuries associated with EVALI. We are still collecting data on the long term effects of vaping, but common sense tells us that any foreign substance in the lungs is unwise and can lead to illness. Quitting is advised. Ironically, cigarettes are toted as a sensible way to quit smoking, but vaping is a poor substitute with its own dangers.
If you have any of the listed symptoms please contact your provider or attend a screening near you. There is support available, you are not alone. Resources such as The Cancer Resource of Western Maine are a wonderful place to gain knowledge, community and education as well as practical items you might need during your cancer journey. It may feel as though there are many risks and toxins in our lives today. But we must be realistic about our risks and make the changes that we are able to make, like quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding cancer causing toxins. Please know your risks and get screened.
By Ann Morrell RN, Health Writer
Lung cancer is common in the U.S and the leading cause of death killing 1.8 million people each year. Exposure to environmental toxins and overall health can play a role in developing lung cancer. There are two major types of cancer and treatments can vary. Those between the ages of 50-80 are most affected but we are seeing a rise in severe lung diseases with the ever growing practice of vaping or use of e-cigarettes among young people. Risks include exposure to radon gas, previous radiation exposure, arsenic and of course smoking or exposure and second hand smoke. According to the Mayo clinic, most lung cancers are caused by smoking, but it can occur in those who have never been exposed to smoke. Knowing your risks and getting screened are two important factors to maintain your health and well-being.
Early stages of lung cancer are usually without symptoms, but later stages can cause a new cough that won’t go away, cough with blood, chest pain, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Lung cancer can spread to other areas of the body and cause bone pain, headache, weight loss, and loss of appetite. The importance of screening cannot be understated. If you are at risk, a smoker or notice any changes in your health, a visit with your provider is worth the time.
Because tobacco plants have so many pests, growers use many pesticides to ensure a profitable crop. These pesticides can contain carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals). Exposure to these carcinogens causes damage almost immediately from smoke inhalation and although the body can fight this short term damage, over time long term exposure can increase the risk of developing cancer. But tobacco isn’t the only carrier of these dangers; a new product is causing more hospitalizations each year among younger people.
The general term “vaping” is the use of e-cigarettes in place of standard rolled tobacco products. E-cigarettes may contain fruity flavors, nicotine, and heavy metals like lead and nickel. The user inhales a smokeless product that delivers similar effect to a regular cigarette but without the stigma associated with tobacco products and because it is smokeless, use in public is more widely accepted. Popularity has increased among younger users for several reasons, and the addition of fruity, candy-like flavors has major appeal especially for young people. The CDC reports 2800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths from a condition called EVALI or E-cigarette Vaping Associated Lung injury. Lung inflammation, COPD, and cancer are a few of the injuries associated with EVALI. We are still collecting data on the long term effects of vaping, but common sense tells us that any foreign substance in the lungs is unwise and can lead to illness. Quitting is advised. Ironically, cigarettes are toted as a sensible way to quit smoking, but vaping is a poor substitute with its own dangers.
If you have any of the listed symptoms please contact your provider or attend a screening near you. There is support available, you are not alone. Resources such as The Cancer Resource of Western Maine are a wonderful place to gain knowledge, community and education as well as practical items you might need during your cancer journey. It may feel as though there are many risks and toxins in our lives today. But we must be realistic about our risks and make the changes that we are able to make, like quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding cancer causing toxins. Please know your risks and get screened.