By Dr. Dalal Akoury Dr. Dalal Akoury March 3, 2015

Understanding the bigger picture of Lung Cancer: Is Smoking the bigger culprit?

In our quest of understanding the bigger picture of lung cancer, it is important to appreciate that cancer of the lungs like all cancers, results from an irregularity in the body’s basic unit of life, the cell. Under normal circumstances the body keeps records and controls the production of various cells in the body. This would ordinarily be referred to us having checks and balances. This is very important in the sense that the production or growth of cells is made possible only when new cells are needed. When this systems are disrupted then the production of cells will be uncontrollable resulting in proliferation of cell the consequences of which will be the formation of a mass commonly referred to us tumor. The experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury says that since lung cancer tends to spread or metastasize very early after it forms, it is a very life-threatening cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. While appreciating that lung cancer can spread to any organ in the body, however there are certain organs particularly the adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bone are the most common destinations for lung cancer metastasis.

Lung cancers can arise in any part of the lung, but 90%-95% of cancers of the lung are thought to arise from the epithelial cells, the cells lining the larger and smaller airways (bronchi and bronchioles); for this reason, lung cancers are sometimes called bronchogenic cancers or bronchogenic carcinomas.

Lung cancer is the top cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. But this wasn’t always the case. Before the widespread use of mechanical cigarette rollers, lung cancer was rare. Today, smoking causes nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths, while radon gas, pollution, and other chemicals play a smaller role. Newly developed drugs can offer hope for people diagnosed today.

Understanding the bigger picture of Lung Cancer: How Smoking Causes Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cause of death due to cancer in both men and women throughout the world. The incidence of lung cancer is strongly correlated with cigarette smoking, with about 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco use. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and the time over which one has been smoking. Besides that the available statistics indicate that today, smoking causes nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths, while other factors like radon gas, pollution, and other chemicals play a smaller role. The good news is that professionals are working round the clock to ensure that solutions are found for this problem. And at the moment a lot has been done and newly developed drugs can offer hope for people diagnosed today. Even though this is so a strong warning should go out there that cigarettes are not only packed with cancer-causing chemicals, but they can also disarm the lungs’ natural defense system. The airways are lined with tiny hairs known as cilia. These hairs protect the lungs by sweeping out toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Tobacco smoke stops the cilia from doing their job. This allows the cancer-causing chemicals to collect in the lungs. That now explains why cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.

At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we appreciate that it is not very easy to quit cigarette smoking owing to its addictive nature. That is why besides being the center for cancer treatment; we are also running a segment of drug addiction and substance abuse to help people get their lives back in totality. We want to help you have your life back and live it to the fullest. If you’re struggling with tobacco smoking or any other drug, you are facing greater risk of contracting this chronic disease (cancer) schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today and have your life back. In the meantime, keep reading to get more about understanding the bigger picture of lung cancer with the cancer treatment experts.

Understanding the bigger picture of Lung Cancer: Lung Cancer Symptoms

The reason why periodic checkup is very necessary is because lung cancer begins quietly without any warnings. There are usually no symptoms or warning signs in the beginning stages. If checkups are not done regularly then you will be suppressed to notice the following symptoms as the condition gets worse:

A cough that won’t go away
Fatigue
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Coughing up bloody phlegm
Chest pain, especially during deep breaths

Understanding the bigger picture of Lung Cancer: Diagnosing Lung Cancer

Because little is visible in the early stages of cancer formation, really will healthcare professionals be able to suspect lung cancer. Like I have said before the signs and symptoms do appear very late and therefore doctors will wait until it causes symptoms like a chronic cough or wheezing. At that point, your doctor is likely order for a chest X-ray or other imaging tests. You may also be asked to cough up phlegm for a sputum test. If either of these tests suggests cancer, you’ll probably get a biopsy. The delay in showing the symptoms should motivate you to register with AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for regular checkup. This way any suspicion will be detected in good time and the right cause of action taken immediately.

Understanding the bigger picture of Lung Cancer: Lung Biopsy

From the results of the diagnosis done, in the event that a suspected tumor is visible on an X-ray and is confirmed or a collection of cancer cells show up in a sputum test, then at this point a biopsy is used to confirm the validity of the diagnosis. The process would then involve the extraction of a small sample of the suspicious mass, this is usually done with a needle, and the healthcare professional will study it under a microscope. By carrying out the investigation of the sample, a doctor can learn whether the tumor is lung cancer or not, and if so, what kind.

In conclusion dear reader, this is very important and I want to bring it to you in the way you will understand best. It is said that the early bird catches the worm. This is a wise saying loaded with facts in our context. Don’t wait until you are 40 or 50 to go for the test. Schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for that very important life changing journey which will make you know your true position in relation to lung cancer. Finally what we have shared in this article is only part one of our two parts articles of understanding the bigger picture of lung cancer. Be there in time for the second part in the next article.