| In the UK 38,000 people are diagnosed with lung | | | | It is important to get any of these symptoms checked |
| cancer every year. There are two types of lung | | | | out by a doctor but any could be caused by an illness |
| cancer; small cell which occurs in 20% of cases and | | | | other than lung cancer. |
| non-small cell which occurs in 80% of cases. Small cell | | | | Diagnosis starts with an examination by a GP who |
| lung cancer is the most dangerous as it travels through | | | | may arrange for x-rays and tests to be conducted at |
| to other parts of the body early on and can get into | | | | a hospital. The hospital doctors may also do a CT |
| the bloodstream or lymph system quite quickly. Non | | | | scan or spiral CT scan which is a series of x-rays that |
| small cell lung cancer travels more slowly and if caught | | | | build up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the |
| early can be successfully cured. | | | | body and can help find the site and size of the cancer; |
| Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer although | | | | or a Bronchoscopy which is where the inside of the |
| 10% of people with the disease have never smoked. | | | | lung airways are examined with a bronchoscope. This |
| The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of | | | | is a thin flexible tube which is passed via the nose or |
| cigarettes smoked and the age of the smoker. If a | | | | mouth into the airways, the doctor can then look |
| person stops smoking the risks reduce quickly and | | | | through the bronchoscope to check for abnormalities. |
| after 15 years the chances of developing lung cancer | | | | Photographs and biopsies can be taken at the same |
| are the same as a non-smoker. Breathing in other | | | | time. |
| people's cigarette smoke, known as passive smoking, | | | | Small cell lung cancer is normally treated with |
| increases the chances of getting lung cancer but the | | | | chemotherapy which enables the patient to live longer |
| risks are far less than if you smoke yourself. Those | | | | with better control of the symptoms. Unless small cell |
| who smoke cigars, pipes or cannabis have a lower | | | | lung cancer is found very early surgery is not normally |
| risk of lung cancer than cigarette smokers but a far | | | | done because the cancer will have spread to other |
| greater risk than non-smokers. | | | | parts of the body before being diagnosed. Sometimes |
| Radon gas in high concentrations is believed to add to | | | | radiotherapy is given to the head to prevent the |
| the risk of developing lung cancer, this is a naturally | | | | cancer spreading to the brain and in advanced cases |
| occurring gas in some areas and you can get a radon | | | | of small cell lung cancer it is used to effectively relieve |
| detector to check the levels in your home. In rare | | | | symptoms such as pain. |
| cases contact with some chemicals and substances | | | | Non small cell lung cancer is treated differently |
| such as uranium, chromium and nickel can also cause | | | | depending on the stage of the cancer; at an early |
| lung cancer. | | | | stage surgery can be used to remove the cancer and |
| The symptoms of lung cancer can include: | | | | is often followed up with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy |
| A persistent or long standing cough | | | | may also be used on patients not fit enough or |
| Chest infection | | | | choosing not to have surgery. In advanced stages |
| Increasing breathlessness | | | | chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used, sometimes |
| Coughing up blood | | | | a combination of the two. These are used to maintain |
| Loss of appetite and weight | | | | a good quality of life for as long as possible and relive |
| Difficulty swallowing | | | | pain. |
| Excessive tiredness and lethargy | | | | |