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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is an abnormal growth
of the cells of your lung. Sometimes the cells of the lung
keep on growing even when they don't need to. Cells that grow
in this way are called cancer cells or malignant cells. Malignant
cells can build up into a lump or tumour. In some cases, the
malignant cells can spread to other parts of the body through
the blood or lymph system. New cancers formed in this way
are called secondaries or metastases.
In New South Wales, lung cancer is the second most common
cancer in males and the fourth most common in females. About
2,200 people die in NSW each year of lung cancer. One in 19
males and 1 in 49 females will develop lung cancer by the
age of 75. Since the early seventies, death rates have fallen
by 13% for males and have risen by 91% for females.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Lung cancer is difficult to detect at an early stage. Some
symptoms may include:
- a new or changing cough with hoarseness or shortness of
breath
- recurring chest infections
- weight loss
- swelling of the face or arms.
All of the above symptoms can be caused by conditions other
than lung cancer.
How can I prevent lung cancer?
Smoking is the major cause of
lung cancer. A smoker's risk of getting lung cancer is in
the range 1 in 10 to 1 in 20. People who have never smoked
have a 1 in 200 risk of developing lung cancer. The risk of
getting lung cancer drops greatly in people who quit smoking.
The best form of prevention is to stop smoking.
People exposed to industrial substances or building materials
such as asbestos, nickel, chromium compounds, arsenic, polycyclic
hydrocarbons and chloromethyl ether also have a higher risk
of developing lung cancer. Smoking increases the risk for
people exposed to these chemicals.
Passive smoking (breathing in the smoke of other people)
also causes a small number of lung cancer deaths each year.
Some people get lung cancer with no obvious cause.
How can lung cancer be treated?
There are a few different types of treatment for lung cancer.
Before deciding which type of treatment may be useful, the
doctor may ask for a number of tests including:
- a chest X-ray
- a CAT scan
- examination of blood or phlegm
- a sample of your lung tissue
- a bronchoscopy, which involves looking at your lung
using a flexible, lighted tube inserted through your nose
or mouth.
Usually after several of the tests outlined above, the doctor
will recommend what the best course of treatment in each case
is. Possible treatments include:
- Surgery - this is used to remove all the cancer in the
hope of a cure.
- Chemotherapy - this is a course of drugs given to kill
or control the cancer cells.
- Radiotherapy - this is a course of high energy X-rays
given to kill or control the cancer cells. (Chemotherapy
and radiotherapy do not cure cancer but may result in long
term control in some types of lung cancer.)
- Laser treatment - this is used to unblock airways full
of tumour but it does not cure cancer.
If the cancer has spread, it is harder to cure. Sometimes
it is impossible, especially if it has gone to your liver
or bones. Some people in this situation choose not to have
treatment.
Where can I get more information?
Talk to your general practitioner or contact:
- NSW Cancer Council's
Cancer Information Service tel 131 120 or (02) 9334 1933,
toll free 1800 422 760, TTY (02) 9334 1865.
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