Smoking And Lung Cancer - The True Facts

By Ben O'Rourke

The bad news is that smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer. And I can tell you that 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are linked with smoking. And lung cancer is not the only cancer related to smoking. Strong links have been shown between smoking and cancer of the mouth, the larynx, the esophagus, the bladder, the stomach and the kidneys. But cancer was the first disease that was linked to smoking, and it is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States.

Here are some statistics to consider:

Men who are smokers are 23 times more likely to get cancer than men who do not smoke.

Women who are smokers are 13 times more likely to develop lung cancer than women who do not smoke.

You do not decrease the risk of catching lung cancer by smoking low tar, low nicotine or 'light' cigarettes.

Did you know that there are over 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke? At least 60 of these are known carcinogens.

Carcinogens damage the DNA in cells that controls their growth. One of the characteristics of malignant cancer cells is unrestrained growth and replication of cells.

30% of cancer deaths annually is directly attributed to cigarette smoking.

87% of lung cancer deaths is caused by cigarette smoking.

Secondhand smoke accounts for about 5% of all newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer.

Secondhand smoke, or passive smoking causes about 3000 lung cancer deaths in each and every year.

If you quit smoking before the age of 35 you can reduce your risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 90%.

Even quitting smoking before you reach 50 will substantially reduce your risk of developing cancer.

It is known that 7 of 8 people who contracted lung cancer will not be alive five years after their diagnosis.

The more you smoke, the more you increase your risk of actually developing lung cancer.

Lung cancer is decreasing in the United States as the number of smokers have decreased.

People try to tell you, that it is not proven that cigarette smoking actually causes lung cancer. This is true to some extent. For example, you may have a genetic predisposition to getting cancer. Not everything is known why some people develop cancer and others do not. Some people can smoke for years and do not get it, and some people get it who never smoked at all. But there is one thing you can be sure of, smoking will increase your risk of developing lung cancer. And if you do stop smoking, you will decrease your risk of developing lung cancer over time.

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Smoking And Lung Cancer

Traditional Mesothelioma Treatments: Enhance Your Lifespan

By Ermenegildo Billar

If you have or know someone with mesothelioma then you know it's an awful way to live your precious time on earth. The general lifespan of a person diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma is from 1 to 3 years. That figure varies from person to person depending on their age, general health and stage of the illness. Meaning a mesothelioma infected person may live even less than that.

This is all very sad and gloomy, but with traditional mesothelioma treatments life could be enhanced by eighty to a hundred percent. These meso treatments vary from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Regrettably these procedures don't cure the cancer; they just act on symptoms and try to alleviate the patient from as much pain as possible.

Radiation

Inside the traditional mesothelioma treatments, radiation is considered to be the best. Although secondary effects like skin irritation, hair loss and even nausea can accompany this treatment, your lifespan is expanded the most. This procedure tackles infected areas only so your whole body won't be bombarded by the rays.

Chemotherapy

It could be bitter at the start, but sweeter in the end. Causing nausea, hair loss, fatigue, general dehydration, between other side effects; it has been proven that infected cells die and are prevented from regenerating further more.

Surgery

This could be the most common of the mesothelioma treatments. No severe side effects come with this procedure. It's generally about going inside your body and removing tumors and affected zones with mesothelioma.

Future Mesothelioma Treatments

The National Cancer Institute of the United States is very much aware of this illness and is in the top 10 of their diseases to eradicate. They promote clinical campaigns that let the patient be part of and try to find new and more efficient and cost effective mesothelioma treatments. This is so because current treatments cost thousands of dollars and they should be available for everyone.

After certain events in his life, Ermenegildo Billar has dedicated years of his life to understanding and helping people with the malignant mesothelioma. For your comfort he decided to create http://www.infothelioma.com so you can have easy access to his research.

Mesothelioma Treatment & Information

By Joshua Taylor

Getting credible information about the diagnosis of Mesothelioma, is very important for patients and their love ones. Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer of the lung, or known as the pleura which may cause a patient to become short of breath because they have been exposed to asbestos. Every case is different and sometimes a patient may not show any symptoms at all. Mesothelioma consists of several forms. Pleural Mesothelioma is one of the forms and are cancer cells found in the lining of the abdominal cavity or found in the lining around the heart. This form of cancer can be painful because it can spread through the entire body and cause the organs to shut down. Workers who have been exposed to asbestos do not all contract Pleural Mesothelioma cancer. This cancer could be related to asbestos exposure and not all asbestos exposure is harmful. Asbestos may already be fixated in the walls not causing the particles to be free in the air, effecting workers.

When there are free particles in the air, the workers are exposed to asbestos and that is harmful to the worker and may cause the worker to contract Pleural Mesothelioma. A second form of the cancer is Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen. This cancer is also associated with asbestos exposure and occurs in the tissue lining of the abdominal cavity, which contains fluid that enables the organs to move and work right. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the most common cancer that is related to asbestos exposure because it is the place where the cancer spreads. This cancer can cause severe health problems and complications for a patient. Normally a patient may experience flu symptoms as well as the swelling of the abdomen. Pericardial Mesothelioma caused from asbestos is another form of cancer, which is also rare affecting the lining surrounding the heart. Pericardium are the cells that produce lubricating fluids which protects the heart allowing the heart to move freely when pumping blood into the other parts of the body. This can cause a patient to have cancer spread through the tissues in the lining of the heart. At this stage, treatments may not be effective and may lead to fatal circumstances.

It may take a patient a long time after being exposed to asbestos, before he or she recognizes symptoms such as chest pain, breathing problems and a continuous cough. Being diagnosed is the first step and even though it can be extremely difficult to detect Mesothelioma symptoms because they are similar to so many other types of cancers your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your exposure to asbestos. Several tests will be done, including chest x-rays, MRI scans or CT scans to determine any abnormal changes. A tissue sample may be obtained to confirm the diagnosis and if your doctor has concluded that you are a patient of Mesothelioma your next step is treatment. Therapy is a form of treatment and there are several kinds of therapies to choose from. Do not be afraid, you are not alone; support is out there to help you fight the cancer and get the treatment you deserve. Please visit www.mesothelioma-treatment-2day.com for more information on mesothelioma and treatment options.

Webmaster of Mesothelioma treatmet Information

Mesothelioma Treatments, Support Groups & Medical Help

By Todd Going

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest cancers known to medical science. This cancer of the lining of sacs that contain the internal organs is caused by primarily one agent: asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous, naturally-occurring fire-resistant mineral that was used for millennia as insulation, heat shielding, and clothing before it was discovered that it was extremely toxic and carcinogenic.

Asbestos is so versatile it was used throughout the United States in construction and industrial processes in the first half of the 20th century, but by the 1960s and 1970s people began to realize that this useful material had a dark side. Unfortunately, it was too late to help the people that worked around asbestos, as conditions such as mesothelioma take decades to develop and are irreversible after initial exposure.

As the 20th century came to a close, hundreds of thousands of people were coping with the fact that they were lied to and mislead by the asbestos industry. Mining and manufacturers that produced asbestos knew of the dangers of their products, but instead of alerting their workers and consumers of the potential consequences of using their product and risk losing their income, they chose to ignore the risks and “make hay while the sun shone,” without regard to how their choice would affect the population at large.

This meant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer became the reality for hundreds of thousands of innocent people. As medical science struggled to keep pace with the treatment of this deadly disease, more and more doctors turned to radical new treatments that attempted to alleviate the suffering of the 10,000 people that die from asbestos-related each year.

The prolonged latency period between initial exposure and the appearance of symptoms, combined with the relatively few specialized medical procedures dedicated to this little known disease. New treatments, such as angiogenesis, immunotherapy, and multimodal approaches offer new hope to victims of mesothelioma.

To learn more about mesothelioma treatments, mesothelioma support groups or mesothelioma medical help, please visit our website. This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.

Lung Cancer - Are Women More Preoccupied About Breast Cancer?

By Ben O'Rourke

Lung cancer is among the most common cancers in the Western world. Lung cancer occurs due to the growth of malignant or abnormal cells in the lung. It is the third most common cancer in males and the fifth in females. Yet lung cancer is increasingly becoming a woman's problem. The risk for dying of lung cancer is 20 times higher among women who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes per day than among women who do not smoke at all. Lung cancer is a cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. It can be very difficult to detect at an early stage because the symptoms often do not appear until the disease is far advanced.

Health experts say more needs to be done to educate women about the risk of lung cancer. Bearing in mind that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, studies show that since 1987, more women have died each year of lung cancer than from breast cancer. Researchers have found that women who had one or more children had nearly a 40 percent lower risk of contracting lung cancer compared to women without children. Recently, research has suggested that women who don't smoke are two to three times more likely than non-smoking men to develop lung cancer. In women, the three types of cancer most commonly seen are breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women (behind lung cancer), and the most common cancer in women.

Lung cancer kills more people than breast or prostate cancer, primarily because by the time it is detected, lung cancer is usually in an advanced stage. Also when cancer spreads to the lung from the breast, the resulting cells are breast cancer cells, not lung cancer cells. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer, yet surveys have shown that women are more worried about getting breast cancer than lung cancer. Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, accounting for more than 400000 deaths per year.

Today there are many treatment options available to lung cancer patients. The type of treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer's specific type, how far it has actually spread, and the patient's status. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. Treatment for a secondary lung cancer depends on the primary cancer. However, new anti-cancer drugs, improved staging and imaging techniques, combined with new surgical procedures have all contributed to dealing with the disease. Finding early-stage lung cancers is crucial in the treatment results for lung cancer. While having treatment for any stage of lung cancer, you will be able to manage some side effects that may accompany lung cancer or any cancer treatment.

Summary:

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung. We already know that the best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit or never start to smoke in the first place. Small cell lung cancer is a bit more common in men than women. But lung cancer is increasingly becoming a woman's problem. The links between your smoking history and lung cancer is clear. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. It is the most deadly of cancers worldwide, resulting in up to 3 million deaths annually.

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Mesothelioma - Gain The Cancer Facts To Become Aware Of

By Ben O'Rourke

Diagnosis

Confirming if Mesothelioma is present is done through a biopsy, performed by an oncologist or even a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer pathologies, removes a small sample of tissue from a patient and examines it using a microscope. Difficulty breathing, abdominal and chest pain, and fever can all be attributed to other causes, so this cancer can have the time to advance fairly well before diagnosis of the disease.

Because of the difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma, the survival time after diagnosis is estimated at about one year. The time that occurs between exposure and the start of the disease, and the rate at which it progresses, makes diagnosis extremely difficult. Early diagnosis is thus crucial in treating this particular form of cancer.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Mesothelioma may not appear for up to 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Anyone who has been exposed to this type of asbestos may not have any kind of symptoms for up to forty years. An individual may visit a doctor numerous times with the symptoms but they are more often considered as respiratory infections. The non-specific symptoms can make it difficult for even experienced doctors to make a quick and conclusive diagnosis of mesothelioma patients.

Take note that these symptoms may be due to other reasons also. If you have a tumor in the pleura, which is the membrane surrounding the lungs, other symptoms that can occur are chest pain, coughing and a difficulty with breathing. The outer and inner layers of the pleura can become thickened. The most common Mesothelioma symptoms is a shortness of breath and pain in the chest region.

Peritoneal mesothelioma can also include other uncomfortable symptoms like bowel obstruction, clotting of the blood, anemia or fever. This is why diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer is very difficult in many cases, because its symptoms may be associated with other diseases too.

Cause

If this chemical is inhaled, it can be extremely toxic and thus cause this type of cancer. As asbestos fibers are released into the air they can be inhaled or digested which can cause the cancer. When asbestos fibres accumulate in the peritoneum (which is the lining of the abdomen) this can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma and the building up of fibres around the tissue of the heart causing pericardial mesothelioma.

If asbestos fibres accumulate in the lining of the lungs this can result in cells nearby becoming deformed eventually resulting in what is called pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease which attacks the lining of the lung and chest cavity and is usually cancerous, caused as a result of asbestos exposure and it could take 15 to 35 years to develop the disease, from the time of the asbestos exposure. Smoking does not cause it. The only known, established cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos.

To repeat, the primary cause of mesothelioma cancer is linked to exposure to asbestos fibers which are breathed into the lungs or swallowed.

Treatment

The most common and the basic form of Mesothelioma treatment is through surgery. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy may be helpful in the overall treatment program. Compensation received can help in alleviating some of the burden of the medical treatment costs, particularly for anyone who is uninsured, and can help an individual to live in a more comfortable way,obviously.

If Mesothelioma is actually diagnosed and if the cancerous tumor is small enough, surgery may be fairly successful. If this is not the case and the tumor is large, there is no successful treatment available, although sometimes radiotherapy may be used to help with relieving the symptoms. Research is being carried out in various research labs all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also trying to come up with new drug and treatment methods. Your chances of recovering from Mesothelioma and the kind of treatment that will be used depends on what stage the illness is at.

As mentioned before, the type of mesothelioma has an impact on the prognosis, including the age of the patient, how much the tumor has actually developed and if treatment was given.

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Lung Cancer Information

History of Lung Cancer

By Steve Valentino

Lungs are part of the body, responsible for breathing. Lung cancer is caused by abnormal cells that grow into a malignant tumor. The factors that cause lung cancer are many.

Personal and family history of a person are two aspects that may cause lung cancer. Smoking is one of the primary reasons for growth of cancerous cells. History of chain smoking may increase chances of contracting this dreaded disease. It is also possible to be at risk even if not a smoker. Passive smokers are also susceptible to this disease.

Persons above the age of 40 are more liable to be afflicted with cancer. Though it is not a rule and there are enough younger people also who have been afflicted by this disease. People who are exposed to air pollution have to be especially careful and observe for tell tale signs of lung cancer.

Family history of lung cancer increases risks to the disease. It is therefore important to keep updated about the symptoms and causes of the disease. Sometimes the symptoms can be as simple as a cough or fatigue. At times it can be more complicated as a swelling in the throat or difficulty in breathing or swallowing. It is essential to keep tab on personal medical history to help in early detection of the disease.

Lung cancer is a disease that is difficult to detect. Usually it is in the later stages that doctors can actually detect the seriousness of the disease. Treatment for lung cancer is a tedious process. Advanced stages of lung cancer may require a combination of treatments to cure it. Chances of total cure are reduced, if the disease spreads to other parts of the body.

Due to its hereditary factor, children or relatives of lung cancer affected patients should take extra care to get checked regularly and rule out possibility of getting the disease. Regular exercise and a diet with low fat with high fiber content can reduce chances of getting the disease. It would be beneficial to quit smoking and stick to moderate consumption of alcohol.

Lung Cancer provides detailed information on Asbestos Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Stages, Lung Cancer Survival Rate and more. Lung Cancer is affiliated with Asbestos Exposure.

What is Asbestos and How Does it Cause Disease?

Asbestos is an extremely toxic, naturally found mineral that was once used in home and boat insulation, brake pads, and floor and ceiling tiles. In around 1980 asbestos was determined to cause several life-threatening asbestos exposure-related diseases (asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma).

Asbestos fibers are inhaled and get trapped in the lungs causing scar tissue and chronic inflammatory lesions. These lesions lead to difficult breathing and in some case become cancerous.

There has been a great increase in the number of cases of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed recently because often this disease doesnt manifest until years after exposure (in some cases 40 years). This means that thousands of construction workers, drywallers, shipbuilders, floor covering installers, automobile repair workers, cementers, oil refinery workers, and many other laborers who worked with asbestos between 1940 and 1980 are at serious risk of developing asbestos exposure related illnessess such as pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) or asbestosis.

If you think you have worked with or have been exposed to asbestos, you may be at risk for developing asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. You should contact a mesothelioma or personal injury attorney who deals especially with asbestos exposure-related diseases and mesothelioma in your area. They will almost certainly be able to help you obtain the compensation you may deserve.

In fact, despite evidence that it was dangerous, many of these companies ignored the potential risks of asbestos exposure, continuing to manufacture asbestos products without the necessary employee protection.

Starting in the 1970s the US government started to take action by restricting and regulating the use of asbestos. For many people this action came far too late. Thousands of workers in these industries have since developed serious, life-threatening asbestos exposure-related diseases, including asbestosis, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and lung cancer. For these people, there is certianly now hope, both medically and legally. Read on to learn more about contacting a mesothelioma attorney and doctor.

David Barnet writes about personal law issues because he believes people have a right to know all the facts before making a claim. If you are unsure of how to find a lawyer to help you with your claim, then look no further. Use our free information today to help you get on the right road to making a successful claim. Visit our free mesothelioma news and information website today

Lung Cancer-What To Do After Treatment

By Ben Weston

For anyone who has had any treatment for lung cancer, it is important to take care of yourself afterwards. For example, you may get side effects or the cancer could even come back.

By having regular checkups it is possible to notice any changes in your health. In this way, you have a better chance of getting the proper treatment as quickly as possible.

The type of checkups that you may expect would be a physical examination, chest x-rays, and various other laboratory tests. You should understand that it is important to make sure that you do have these tests a regular basis.

Of course if you're not feeling well in between, then you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Cancer can have a devastating effect on many people. Nowadays, there is also emotional support offered and this should be used.

There are many issues facing anyone who has cancer. It is not just the physical symptoms involved, there are also many fears and worries and concerns daily. In addition, family and friends have to deal with it also.

So a part of your treatment plan should be focusing on helping you to cope with the emotional and psychological difficulties that you will experience.

This support will come from many areas, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, social workers, and other professionals. Try to seek out cancer support groups in your area, they will provide advice support and comfort. This support is important, because you will not feel so isolated with your condition.

Being a member of such a group provides a sympathetic environment where you can talk about your concerns with others who also have cancer or have had in the past.

Just by talking about the problem can help your attitude, which is important in fighting the disease. Your local healthcare professionals will be aware of any such groups, and you should ensure to remain in contact with them.

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Asbestos Lung Cancer

Learn How To Prevent Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a malignant disease commonly associated with people who smoke heavily. It is estimated that a higher number of men are suffering from this form of cancer. Lately however, the number of women affected with lung cancer is steadily catching up with the number of men affected with the disease.

Diet is an important measure in preventing lung cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer for smokers and non-smokers alike are lowered when they eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Among the most important fruits and vegetables that should be included in your diet are apples, tomatoes, melons, mangoes, dark leafy greens and onions. Apple and onion are rich in cancer-fighting flavonoids. According to a study conducted in Finland, people who consume more apples are 58 percent less likely to develop lung cancer than those who do not eat apples at all.

Try to add some tomato sauce in your cooking. Research shows that tomatoes, especially cooked ones, seem to exhibit protective properties against lung cancer.

Taking in high amounts of beta-carotenes can also lower the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Carotenoid compounds are found in certain produce like peaches, mangoes, melon, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and green leafy vegetables. Beta-carotene supplement however should be avoided. A study conducted by a Finnish group indicated that an 18 percent rise in lung cancer cases was seen in heavy smokers who were taking beta-carotene supplements. Moreover, the National Cancer Institute researchers also stopped their study on the effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene after smokers who were taking the supplements showed 28 percent more lung cancer than those taking placebos.

Another important measure in the prevention of lung cancer is a routine medical check-up. This should also be accompanied with prophylactic medicines and supplements. An x-ray is necessary especially for those people who smoke and are at the age of 50 and above. A yearly chest x-ray will be especially beneficial for those people who are at high risk of developing lung cancer. A chest x-ray is a preventive measure done to screen for lung cancer. A routine chest x-ray will enable doctors to diagnose lung cancer early so that proper treatment procedures will be implemented.

Aspirin has been shown to ward off lung cancer especially when a dosage of 81 to 325 mg is taken daily. However, you should consult your doctor about the prophylactic advantage of taking aspirin since this form of therapy comes with known side effects.

Selenium that is often found in multivitamin and mineral supplements also shows properties that ward off cancer especially when taken over a long period of time. Some studies show that those who are taking selenium supplements exhibit about 46 percent lower lung cancer rate.

Vitamin C is also good in the prevention of lung cancer. Some studies suggest that people who regularly take 140 mg or more of vitamin C have lower risk of developing lung cancer than those who only get 90 mg or less of vitamin C dosage.

Lifestyle change is also vital in the prevention of lung cancer. People who smoke should consider quitting the habit. When a person stops smoking, his lung cancer risk is lowered by almost half in 10 years.

Finally, the second most common cause of lung cancer is exposure to radon, a colorless gas found in the ground. Test your home for any presence of radon. You can either buy a do-it yourself kit to check for radon which is available in your home supply stores or you can hire a professional to do it for you.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Lung Cancer