November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This event originated in 1995 as Lung Cancer Awareness Day. Since then, the community and movement has grown, leading to this month when people come together to support the lung cancer community and raise awareness about the disease. According to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), lung cancer is the secondsecond abbreviation The most common type of cancer worldwide. In 2020, there were more than 2.2 million new cases of lung cancer.
facts about the lungs
- breaths a day: The average person takes 20,000 breaths of rest per day!
- Tubes: The lungs contain a network of 600 million connected tubes.
- Improve lung capacity: Lung capacity can be improved by exercising.
- Breathing by a normal person: On average, a person breathes 13 pints of air every 60 seconds.
- The importance of coughing: Coughing and sneezing keep your lungs clear of the substances you inhale unintentionally.
It usually does not cause lung cancer symptoms in its early stage. Symptoms may be overlooked as other issues such as allergies or a cold. One of the goals of Lung Cancer Awareness Month is to promote early detection before it reaches a fatal stage. According to the American Lung Association, 73% of adults have not talked to their doctor about their lung cancer risk, and only 40% are concerned they may have lung cancer. In addition, nearly 70% of those questioned were unfamiliar with the availability of lung cancer screenings for early detection of the disease.
Lung cancer symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- a cough that doesn’t go away
- coughing up blood
- Weight loss
- fatigue
Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, and is responsible for about ninety percent of lung cancer cases. Lung cancer can also occur in people who have no known exposure to toxic substances – anyone can develop lung cancer. It occurs when cells in the lung change or change; This can happen for many reasons. For those who still smoke, quitting is the best thing to do for lung health. Ex-smokers have a reduced risk of lung cancer but can still develop it. Non-smokers are also affected by smoking due to exposure to secondhand smoke.
There is evidence that the following are also associated with an increased risk:
- Previous lung disease
- Environmental exposures such as radon, the second cause of lung cancer
- Workplace/occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and some petroleum products
- air pollution
- genes
There are two main types Species Lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is usually associated with cigarette smoking and is treated with chemotherapy. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common and grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer Starting Helps determine treatment options. Staging means looking for where the lung cancer cells are, the size of the tumor, and whether/where the lung cancer has spread. While staging will provide some insight into the prognosis of the disease, it does not predict how long one will live.
Lung cancer treatment requires a customized treatment plan. Discoveries in the research allow for treatment tailored to the precise molecular features of a tumor to match the right treatment with the right patient. Some of the areas that have seen technological advancements include detection, surgery, radiation, and treatment protocols. The researchers hope that these discoveries will lead to lung cancer becoming a chronic or curable disease in the near future.
Nutrition and lung cancer
While there is no single food that causes lung cancer, some basic health tips may help prevent lung cancer. First, eat a minimally processed plant-based diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, healthy fats, calcium-rich foods, and lean protein. Studies have shown the importance of incorporating cruciferous vegetables rich in isothiocyanates to reduce risk in non-smokers. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other leafy greens. One study found that phytochemicals found in cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of lung cancer among smokers due to the effect of modifying carcinogens. Second, limit red meat consumption and avoid processed meat. In addition, it is advised to keep a person’s weight and blood sugar in a healthy range. One way to stabilize blood sugar levels is to consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day – this can be done by regularly increasing the whole foods listed above.
Good nutrition when living with lung cancer is important. Adequate nutrition is necessary to maintain healthy cells and cellular repair, reduce disease risk, and support the effect of treatment. For those experiencing the side effects of lung cancer and its treatment, be sure to talk to a doctor about what you’re experiencing. These symptoms may affect your appetite or ability to eat. For gastrointestinal side effects, try to eat small meals and snacks frequently and stick to a bland diet. A light diet may include, but is not limited to, foods such as low-fat dairy products, cooked (not raw) vegetables/fruits, rice, oatmeal, eggs, and broth. If mouth sores are a problem, avoid very hot, cold, spicy, or crunchy foods, and consider using a pacifier.
Physical activity and lung cancer
According to the American Lung Association, the right amount and type of exercise may help someone with lung cancer feel better. This may include light walking, stretching, or a variety of exercise programs – all of which must be approved by your doctor. Since working out doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym, brainstorm about safe, practical, and affordable ways to stay active. The benefits of exercise are numerous and may improve symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, cardiovascular fitness, and muscle strength.
Let’s spread lung cancer awareness, support future research, encourage lung cancer screening, and reduce the stigma around this disease. there is hope!
