Facts About Lung Cancer

By Allan Tan

Lung cancer is a common and potentially fatal type of cancer. Here are some interesting facts about lung cancer:

In the United States, about 219,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year. Of these new cases of people diagnosed with lung cancer, over 103,000 are women and almost 116,000 are men.

Most people associate lung cancer was smoking, but that is not the only way to get lung cancer. The second leading cause of lung cancer is exposure to radon. Causes of lung cancer include asbestos, exposure to radiation, air pollution, scarring from tuberculosis, and secondhand smoke.

Lung cancer is one of the most deadly types of cancer. Lung cancer is responsible for over 160,000 deaths per year. The deaths from lung cancer are more than twenty-eight percent of the annual cancer-related deaths.

Within five years of diagnosis, eighty-four percent of those who are diagnosed with lung cancer die. Lung cancer affects more African-Americans than other races, and African-Americans are more likely to die from lung cancer.

Early detection is an important part of preventing death from all types of cancer. About eighty-four percent of the cases of lung cancer are only diagnosed after the lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Less money is spent on research for lung cancer than other types cancer.even though lung cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer.

Quitting smoking reduces the risk of dying from lung cancer, but people who quit smoking are still at risk. About 50% of all lung cancer occurs in people who have already quit smoking.

One study showed that people who quit smoking reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by one third within the first ten years after quitting. The risk of lung cancer dramatically fell to ten percent when a person has quit smoking for more than 30 years.

Besides quitting smoking, people can help prevent lung cancer by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Preventing exposure to toxins that can cause lung cancer is another preventative measure.

Radon testing kits are available to test the levels of radon in the home. If the home is found to have elevated levels of radon, there are corrective measures that can be taken including ventilation systems at the foundation of the house. - 29929

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here