Lung Cancer

The main cause of lung cancer is tobacco smoke (cigarettes, pipes, or cigars), although not everyone who smokes will get lung cancer. Harmful substances in smoke damage the lung cells. Inhaling ‘second-hand’ smoke from people smoking nearby can also cause lung cancer in some people who do not smoke.

You may also be at risk for lung cancer if you:

• Are older than 40 years – most people are older than 65 years when they are diagnosed with lung cancer
• Have contact with some substances like radon (a radioactive gas), asbestos, arsenic, chromium, nickel and air pollution
• Have family members who have had lung cancer

Early lung cancer often does not cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, you may experience the following symptoms:

• A cough that worsens or does not go away
• A hoarse voice
• Breathing troubles eg. short of breath
• Constant chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Chronic tiredness
• Frequent lung infections, eg. pneumonia
• Weight loss without a cause

Other health problems can also cause these symptoms, but you should see your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

There are 4 main treatments for lung cancer:

• Chemotherapy to shrink or destroy the cancer
• Radiation therapy (high-energy x-rays) to destroy the cancer cells
• Surgery to remove the tumour and some lymph nodes (glands)
• Targeted therapy to block the growth and spread of cancer cells