Is Smoking the only risk factor responsible for Lung Cancer?

Smoking has become a trend nowadays mostly among the young generation. People who smoke are more prone to develop many health issues like high blood pressure, strokes, heart conditions, and different types of cancer. Smoking is so harmful in a way that it affects not only internal organs but also physical appearance. Changes in external appearance are tooth decay, discoloration wrinkles, and many more. In general, it can disturb the normal functioning of the human body and have negative effects both physically and emotionally. Lung Cancer is the most prevalent kind of cancer diagnosed across the world. Most people think that only people who smoke can get this disease. But Is smoking the primary and only cause of lung cancer? Smoking can be considered the biggest risk factor responsible for causing 90% of deaths due to cancer. According to WHO (World Health Organization), Smoking is the sole reason for causing lung cancer in 85% of total cases that were reported worldwide in 2023.

Basic understanding of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the result of abnormal growth of cells in an uncontrollable manner. These cells together result in tumor formation. These cells interfere with the breathing process which is the primary function of the lungs. People are mostly affected by two main categories of lung cancer. These two types are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Both these kinds have different signs & symptoms and treatment options. The majority of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, as this cancer does not have symptoms in early stages. There are some common symptoms like continuous cough, difficulty in breathing, and chest pain. As lung cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer, it means that the survival rate in this disease is very low as compared to other types. Understanding the symptoms and going for diagnosis in the early stage can help prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the body. Thus saving the lives of people.

Relation between Lung Cancer and Smoking

As we all know, cigarette smoking is the primary factor causing lung cancer. Tobacco is the main ingredient of cigarettes that contains carcinogens. These carcinogens are responsible for damaging the lung tissue with time. People who are smoking will not surely develop lung cancer, but the risk of developing the disease increases with the duration and amount of smoking. Anyone who smokes decides to quit smoking reduces the chances of getting diagnosed with this disease. It is significant for people to understand that various other factors can result in lung cancer. Smoking is not exclusively responsible for it. There's one more term secondhand smoke. It means the smoke exhaled by a smoker or released from the burning end of a cigarette, people who do not smoke inhale it and are called secondhand smokers. It is considered an important factor that elevates the chances of getting this disease. Continuous exposure to this smoke for a long period increases the 20-30% chances of developing lung cancer. Children and elderly people who are living with smokers should take immediate action to live far away from such an environment. Banning public smoking and creating awareness among people about secondhand smoke can help to a great extent.

Myths about Smoking

●  People are living in a delusion that the one who smokes can only get lung cancer. It is essential to create awareness about the other risk factors causing lung cancer. Smoking is the primary one but not the only one.
●  Another myth about lung cancer is that if you don't have symptoms, then you don't have the disease. There are no visible symptoms in the early stages. It focuses the attention on regular checkups and screening for people who are at high risk.
●  Most people think that you don't have to give up smoking even after getting diagnosed with lung cancer. In the age of advanced stages, there's not much within your control. So, learn about the risk factors and the importance of early detection.
With knowledge comes power, and staying informed can result in better health for everyone. It is crucial to understand and expose the myths. Spreading awareness about the disease can help people to take preventive health measures.

Treatment for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is treated using different kinds of treatment therapies. The stage of the cancer decides the type of treatment for the patient. It is detected by performing several types of body tests. It becomes easy for doctors to suggest treatment after knowing about the stage of the disease. Early stage indicates that cancer cells are present only in the lungs and is treatable. In advanced stages of lung cancer, the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. The doctor decides the type of treatment considering the age, health condition, and medical history of the patient. Anticancer drugs are prescribed by healthcare experts to reduce the symptoms of the disease. Retevmo 80mg Capsule, Sotorasib 120mg tablet , and Osimertinib 80mg tablet are some of the commonly advised anticancer medicines. Take these medicines as per doctor's prescription. These medicines are available on Magicine Pharma. It is an online pharmacy that deals with all kinds of anticancer medicines at affordable prices. Do not miss or overdose any scheduled dosage, and consult your healthcare expert in case of emergency.

Conclusion

Smoking is just one of several factors that contribute to the complexity of lung cancer. It can be taken as the primary reason for a large number of deaths across the world. There are some people who have never smoked and got detected with lung cancer. It is important to take control of your health and prevent the development of this life threatening disease. As we all know, Cancer ends with Cure and Magicine Pharma is on a mission to end cancer.

FAQs

1. How many individuals are diagnosed with lung cancer?
As per the American Cancer Society, the probability of a man getting this disease is about 1 in 16, whereas in women it's 1 in 17.

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2. What are the chances of survival after a lung cancer diagnosis?
According to the Cancer Research UK, out of 100 people, 45 will survive for 1 year or more. Around 20 people will survive out of 100 for 5 years or more.

3. Is it possible to eradicate lung cancer completely?
No, it is not possible to treat this disease 100%. But with proper care and good treatment, a person can live a normal life.

4. How many people get diagnosed with lung cancer due to smoking across the world?
As per the WHO report, smoking results in 85% of total lung cancer cases worldwide in 2023.

5. Which stage of lung cancer can take your life?
Stage 4 lung cancer is impossible to treat. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can reduce the symptoms. These treatments help you live a little longer.

References

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https://www.who.int/newsroom/factsheets/detail/lungcancer
https://www.americanoncology.com/blogs/myth-vs-fact-does-only-smoking-cause-lung-cancer
https://ourworldindata.org/smoking
https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/brp/tcrb/secondhand-smoke-exposure
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/health.html
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/aboutcancer/lungcancer/survival​​​​