Abnormal growth cells in the lungs can vary both in their rate of growth and their tendency to spread locally and to distant sites in the body. Under a microscope, these cells can indicate their ability to grow without restraint.
Cells that appear to grow slowly and tend to remain in place are more curable than the malicious type of lung cancer, and are therefore termed benign.
The cells of rapidly growing cancer spread throughout the body (a process called metastasis) are more likely to be life-threatening, and are termed malignant. When the term lung cancer is used, it refers to the more menacing types of abnormal growths.
Occasionally, abnormal growth cells that start off as benign may alter their character and become malignant. An example of this might be a benign tumor in the lung that progresses into lung cancer.
What Causes Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer occurs via a number of factors:
- Diet: The role that diet and nutrition play in lung cancer formation has been constantly examined over the years. Fresh fruit and vegetables can significantly lower the risk of developing lung cancer. They contain necessary antioxidants that help prevent damage to cells in our lungs
- Pollution: Cigarette smoking is paramount among environmental causes of cancer. It has been implicated as a major cause of all cancers. In addition, health care and industrial workers who are repeatedly exposed to radiation also bear an additional health risk for developing lung cancer.
- Heredity. Certain families seem particularly prone to the development of lung cancer, just as others seem to have a greater probability of developing cervical cancer. Although some cancers have been identified as having an official hereditary link, no clearly defined genetic factor has been established for the majority of lung cancer cases. However, it is well advised for those with strong family history of lung cancer to undertake preventive measures and early detection of possible cancerous conditions in the lungs.
- Illnesses. Certain underlying illnesses seem to make some individuals prone to lung cancer. Individuals with certain types of lung disease are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, although both conditions are frequently connected with cigarette smoking.
- Viruses. Although viruses have long been established as a cause of cancer in many animals, they have only recently been implicated strongly in human lung cancer cases.
Quick Lung Cancer Facts:
Statistics for lung cancer are constantly increasing on a yearly basis. Below are a few numbers that reflect how deadly a disease lung cancer really is:
- There were about 210,000 new lung cancer cases in 2007.
- As of 2008, more than 400,000 people alive have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
- About two out of three people found to have lung cancer are older the age of sixty-five.
- Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death.
- Lung cancer will account for one in fifteen cases of cancer.
As one can see, lung cancer is a disease that can take many shapes and forms. It can be considered either a malice that one needs only to suppress through moderation, or a full-fledged ordeal requiring time, dedication, support, and unrelenting effort to overcome.
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References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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