Lung Cancer is the leading cause of death both in men and women, in all the parts of the world. The number of deaths by Lung cancer has surpassed the number of deaths by Breast Cancer, Colo-rectal Cancer and Prostate Cancer, put together.

The tumors can also spread to nearby lymph nodes or through the bloodstream to other organs. This process is called metastasis. Lung Cancer spreading to other organs is called Metastatic Lung Cancer(MLC). The MLC’s in the Liver and Adrenal Glands will not have pain at the Diagnosis Stage. The MLC spread to the bones will cause pain. When lung cancer metastasizes, the tumor in the lung is called the primary tumor, and the tumors in other parts of the body are called secondary tumors or metastatic tumors.

The lungs are a common site for metastasis. If this is the case, the cancer is not considered to be lung cancer. For example, if prostate cancer spreads via the bloodstream to the lungs, it is metastatic prostate cancer (a secondary cancer) in the lung and is not called lung cancer

Causes of Lung Cancer:-
Smoking is the major cause of Lung Cancer. About 90% of Lung Cancers are caused by Tobacco smoking and the risk of developing Lung Cancer is related to:-

• Number of Cigarettes / Beedis / Cigars orCheroots smoked
• The age the person started the habit of Smoking
• How long the person has been smoking

Apart from Smoking there are some other causes of Lung Cancer:-

• Passive/Secondary Smoking. The smoke from the smoker nearby inhaled
  
• Smoke from Motor vehicles, factories and other smokes
• Asbestos Exposure
• Lung Diseases such as Tuberculosis(TB), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)
  
• Exposure to Radon, a by-product of natural radium from uranium.
• Exposure to Arsenic, Chromium, Aromatic Hydro Carbons and Ethers
• Lung Cancer already present and cured
  

The symptoms of Lung Cancer are:-

• Cough
• Chest Pain
• Shortness of Breath

Lung Cancer will spread from the Lungs to:-

• Liver
• Adrenal Glands
• Bones
• Brain
  

In the following cases Medical Consultation must be sought:-

• Any known symptoms of Lung Cancer
• Continuous and new type of Cough
• Trace of Blood after Coughing
• Undue Weight Loss
• Undue Fatique
• Undue Pains
  

Emergent Medical care must be sought in the following cases:-

• Coughing out large amount of blood
• Sudden Shortness of Breath
• Sudden weakness
• Sudden Vision Problems
• Continuous and mild chest pain
  

Unlike most of the other types of Cancer, Lung Cancer is Preventable. Smoking being the main cause of Lung Cancer, if smoking is avoided, the disease can be prevented apart from other benefits of giving up Smoking . Smoking is highly addictive and by medications such as Nicotine gums, Nicotine Inhalers and Nicotine Sprays and counseling and behaviour therapy the addicted smokers can be brought out of the deadly habit. Minimizing inhaling smokes of any kind will help in Lung Cancer Prevention.
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