Learn the signs
of Lung Cancer
Newswise This year,
nearly 175,000 Americans will learn they have lung cancer.
Smoking is the greatest known risk factor for lung cancer,
although being exposed to second-hand smoke, radon, asbestos
and other chemicals can also increase your chances of
developing the disease. Quitting smoking not only decreases
your chance of getting lung cancer but it also helps make
treatments for those with the disease more effective. In
addition, stopping smoking reduces the risk of infections,
such as pneumonia, and improves breathing.
There are currently no
screening tests for lung cancer that have been proven to be
as reliable as mammography is for breast cancer, so its
important for people at risk to watch for signs of the
disease. Symptoms include persistent cough or coughing
blood, recurring pneumonia, unexplained weight loss, and
fatigue. Studies of computed tomography (CT) in high-risk
patients are underway. A chest X-ray will often reveal a
lung tumor and its location. Other tests, such as CT or PET
scans, can provide more detailed information. To be certain
that you have lung cancer, tissue from your lung will be
removed and analyzed. This is called a biopsy.
As with any form of
cancer, the key to treating and potentially curing lung
cancer is to catch it early. There are effective treatments
for this disease and its important for people with lung
cancer to consult with several cancer specialists, including
a radiation oncologist, to decide on the best treatment for
their type of cancer and lifestyle, said Thomas Eichler,
M.D. Chair of the Communications Committee for the American
Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and a
radiation oncologist at CJW Medical Center in Richmond, Va.
If you have lung cancer,
your treatment will depend on the type of cancer, its
location and your overall health. The main treatments are:
Surgery: A surgeon operates to remove the tumor.
Chemotherapy: Medical oncologists use drugs to kill cancer
cells. These drugs are typically given through the veins.
Radiation therapy: Radiation oncologists have two main
weapons against lung cancer external beam radiation
therapy and internal radiation, called brachytherapy.
During external beam
treatments, radiation oncologists target high-energy X-rays
at the tumor to destroy cancer cells or to relieve symptoms
such as pain. These treatments do not hurt and take only a
few minutes a day over several weeks. With brachytherapy, a
thin tube is placed down the nose and into the airways of
the lung. The tube is then connected to a machine that
delivers high doses of radiation to the cancer.
Side effects will be
different for each patient depending on the type of cancer
and the treatments received. Talk to your doctor to find out
what you can expect.
For more information on
treatments for lung cancer, visit
http://www.rtanswers.org or call ASTRO at 1-800-962-7876
for a free brochure.
ASTRO is the largest
radiation oncology society in the world, with more than
8,000 members who specialize in treating patients with
radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation
oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to
the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by
promoting excellence in patient care, providing
opportunities for educational and professional development,
promoting research and disseminating research results and
representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving
socioeconomic healthcare environment.