You could be at risk of lung cancer
even if you're not a smoker
Lung cancer kills more women every year in Australia than any other kind of cancer, and your chances of dying from it are now higher than ever – even if you're not a smoker.
Although lung cancer is usually linked to smoking, a staggering 30 per cent of women who contract lung cancer have never smoked.
In 1968, a woman had a one in 107 chance of dying from lung cancer before turning 85. As the number of cases has grown that figure is now one in 29.
Today, cancer charities are calling for more work to be done to find effective treatments and develop a comprehensive screening programme.
Although lung cancer is usually linked to smoking, a staggering 30 per cent of women who contract lung cancer have never smoked.
In 1968, a woman had a one in 107 chance of dying from lung cancer before turning 85. As the number of cases has grown that figure is now one in 29.
Today, cancer charities are calling for more work to be done to find effective treatments and develop a comprehensive screening programme.
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is a growth in the tissue of the lung.
Professor Ian Olver, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, says: "Essentially part of the lung tissue, usually the lining of the bronchial passage, grows out of control because there is a defect in one or more genes where the cell doesn't recognise the signals to stop growing."
There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell.
Small-cell accounts for around 15 per cent of lung cancers and tends to start in the middle of the lungs.
Non-small cell makes up around 75 to 80 per cent of lung cancers and mainly affects the cells lining the tubes into the lungs.
Professor Ian Olver, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, says: "Essentially part of the lung tissue, usually the lining of the bronchial passage, grows out of control because there is a defect in one or more genes where the cell doesn't recognise the signals to stop growing."
There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell.
Small-cell accounts for around 15 per cent of lung cancers and tends to start in the middle of the lungs.
Non-small cell makes up around 75 to 80 per cent of lung cancers and mainly affects the cells lining the tubes into the lungs.
Symptoms
Lung cancer is difficult to spot as it has vague symptoms, and no proper screening scheme has been developed. This means it is often not detected until it is well advanced, as often the sufferer will believe they just have a bad cough. "Because the symptoms are due to blocking the airways you get a cough, or shortness of breath or it could be pain", Professor Olver explains. The other sign is weight loss. "Lung cancer can cause you to feel unwell, and you can start loosing weight," he says.
Though if coughing continues, becomes painful or affects the breathing that's a sign to see your doctor. "A persistent cough, or coughing up blood is something that is really important to have investigated, or breathlessness that is new or persistent, or any chest pain," Dr Helen Zorbas, CEO of government agency Cancer Australia, says.
Though if coughing continues, becomes painful or affects the breathing that's a sign to see your doctor. "A persistent cough, or coughing up blood is something that is really important to have investigated, or breathlessness that is new or persistent, or any chest pain," Dr Helen Zorbas, CEO of government agency Cancer Australia, says.
Who is affected?
Smoking is the cause of around 90 per cent of cases of lung cancer. The number of women diagnosed with lung cancer is increasing with the rise in smoking among women. It is not known why non-smoking women contract lung cancer, although research ongoing to try and work this out so more can be done to treat it.
Exposure to asbestos and passive smoking is also linked to lung cancer.
Exposure to asbestos and passive smoking is also linked to lung cancer.
Treatment
Just 14 per cent of female lung cancer sufferers are expected to live five years beyond diagnosis. Even for those diagnosed with limited lung cancer, the average survival period is 18-24 months.
Small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. If non-small cell lung cancer is confined to a part of the lung it can be surgically removed.
Small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. If non-small cell lung cancer is confined to a part of the lung it can be surgically removed.
What can be done?
In 2007, more than 3,700 women were diagnosed with lung cancer and unfortunately only 23 per cent survived. The number one way to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer is not to smoke. "The big thing is an all-out attack on reducing smoking rates. That will have the most impact," Professor Olver says.
If you work in an environment where you're exposed to carcinogenic chemicals or second-hand smoke and asbestos, it's advised you minimise your exposure and cover up with protective clothing.
The Australian Lung Foundation wants further research and a screening scheme developed, saying there is a gap at the moment.
If you work in an environment where you're exposed to carcinogenic chemicals or second-hand smoke and asbestos, it's advised you minimise your exposure and cover up with protective clothing.
The Australian Lung Foundation wants further research and a screening scheme developed, saying there is a gap at the moment.
Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/
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