Numerous Lung Cancer Cases Worldwide - Essay Example

Lung Cancer al Affiliation Cancer related deaths are numerous worldwide. Among all types of cancer, lung cancertops the list of cancer related deaths. Cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Lung cancer is therefore the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in both or one of the lungs. For cancer to be termed as lung cancer, the abnormal cell growth has to originate in the lungs. This is also referred to as primary lung cancer. Sometimes the abnormal cells may spread to other parts of the body and begin growing there. In this case, the cancer is referred to as secondary lung cancer. When lung cancer begins to develop, everything may seem normal and it is usually difficult to detect anything. During the advanced stages of the disease however, various symptoms are noticed. The symptoms vary depending on whether lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body or not. This paper is a discussion on lung cancer, its risk factors and signs and symptoms associated with it. Keywords: lung cancer, cells, abnormal, uncontrolled, growth Introduction Lung cancer originates in the lungs (Cancercare, 2014). Cancer is a disease that is usually associated with wild growth of abnormal cells. In lung cancer, abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way in both or one of the lungs. Due to the fact that the cells are abnormal, they do not develop into healthy tissues and do not play any roles similar to those of normal lung cells. As abnormal cells continue to grow, they develop into a large mass known as a tumor. In a case where the tumor is located in the lungs, it can interfere with the lungs normal functions. DNA, which is a genetic component found in cells is contained in all body cells. Duplication of DNA occurs every time a mature cell divides to form new cells. For this reason, the new cells also contain DNA. Cells that are formed from the division of a mature cell are identical to the original cell in all ways. In the case where the cells are abnormal, this is usually related to a DNA error or mutation. This is usually the case in cancer. A lung cancer cell is a result of a series of mutations. Cells undergoing mutation can still function as normal cells; during this stage, the cells are said to be precancerous. With time, the cells become cancerous and it is during this time that they stop functioning as normal cells of the lungs. Lung cancer may be primary or secondary (Cancercare, 2014). This is usually determined by the point of origin of the growth of abnormal cells. This is because in some cases, cells travel from the original tumor to other parts of the body and continue growing there. Primary lung cancer originates in the lungs. Secondary lung cancer refers to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that starts in another part of the body, other than the lungs. The abnormal cells from another body part travel to the lungs and continue to grow there. In such a case, the cancer is referenced according to the original body part where growth of abnormal cells began. Discussion As mentioned earlier, lung cancer originates in the lungs. Lungs are located in the chest and are spongy in nature. The spongy nature of the lungs allows movement during inhalation and exhalation. When people inhale, the lungs take in the oxygen and when they exhale, carbon dioxide is released. In the United States and all over the world, and in both men and women, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths (A.D.A.M. Editorial Team, 2013). This is because while breast, ovarian, prostrate, and colon cancer do claim the lives of people, the numbers of lives lost are not as many as those lost as a result of lung cancer. In the overall population, smokers have a higher risk of acquiring lung cancer. The longer the period smoked and the more the number of cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk of acquiring cancer becomes. This means that for those who quit smoking even after smoking for many years, the risks are reduced, compared to those who continue smoking and who have smoked for fewer years. This is due to the fact that as they continue smoking, the chances of developing cancer are increased. Lung cancer however, also affects nonsmokers. This is especially true for those who breathe secondhand smoke. Apart from smoke, other causes are a history of lung cancer in a family, highly arsenic drinking water, exposure to asbestos and radon gas, as well as to chemicals known to cause cancer such as diesel exhaust, gasoline, chloromethyl ethers, vinyl chloride, mustard gas, beryllium, uranium, coals products and nickel chromates (A.D.A.M. Editorial Team, 2013). Inhaling highly polluted air can also lead to lung cancer. Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer When lung cancer begins to develop, a person may feel normal and healthy. In fact, it may take years for the signs and symptoms to appear and most of the time, the cancer is usually at its advanced stages. Symptoms of lung cancer may be felt in the chest where the lungs are located or in other parts of the body, in a case where cancer has spread. For lung cancer that has only affected the chest, the symptoms include: Intense and persistent coughing. Back, shoulder or chest pain that is not related to coughing. Change in volume and color of sputum. Development of a hoarse voice and shortness of breath. Persistent lung associated problems such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Coughing up mucus or blood and in the case of mucus, it is tinged with blood. Stridor, which is an exceptional type of wheezing. For lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, the symptoms include: Wasting of muscles Bone or joint pain and headaches. Fractures in the bones that are not accidentally caused. Loss of memory or unsteady movement. Swelling of the face or neck. Overall body weakness and fatigue. Strange weight loss of loss of appetite. Blood clots and bleeding. Conclusion Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that begins in the lungs. The disease may not be detected during its early stages of development, but in the advanced stages, there are many symptoms related to it that can be observed. Among all cancer related deaths worldwide, lung cancer tops the list. Although the disease is usually caused by smoking and inhaling second hand smoke, other risk factors, such as a history of lung cancer in the family and inhaling cancer causing chemicals among others, can lead to the development of lung cancer. Reference List A.D.A.M. Editorial Team. (2013). Lung Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004529/. Cancercare. (2014). Lung Cancer 101. Retrieved from http://www.lungcancer.org/find_information/publications/163-lung_cancer_101/265-what_is_lung_cancer. Read More