World Lung Cancer Day

Today, August 1st, is World Lung Cancer day, and CPR Savers would like to bring awareness to the issue. Despite it being on the decline since 2005, lung cancer is still the leading cause of death due to cancer in both men and women. Roughly 154,000 Americans are were estimated to die of lung cancer in 2018. That number accounts for approximately a quarter of all cancer deaths. About half a million living Americans have been diagnosed at some point in their lives and the majority of those diagnosed are of the elderly community.

Lung cancer is not a subject to be taken lightly. There is a high percentage that you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with the disease. Lung cancer, like most other cancers, can be tricky to prevent and even harder to cure. Smoking is responsible for the majority of lung cancer cases around the world. Regularly inhaling cigarette smoke brings carcinogens into the body which can damage the cells lining your lungs. Your risk for cancer increases drastically with each cigarette each day.

Although smoking may be a large factor in being diagnosed, abstaining from cigarettes does not leave you immune to lung cancer. Being exposed to second hand smoke can be just as bad if not worse. Exposure to radon gas, radiation therapy , asbestos and other carcinogens can be just as detrimental to your health and lead to a cancerous infection. You are also more likely to be diagnosed if you have a family member(s) who has died of or been diagnosed with lung cancer.

As a result of developing lung cancer, patients may experience a shortness of breath, coughing of blood, pain (predominantly in the chest and lungs) and pleural effusion (fluid in the chest). Lung cancer also has the potential to spread to other parts of the body if it is not diagnosed and treated properly and early. This can result in bodily pain, nausea, and headaches depending on which area of the body has been affected.

The best ways to be preventative of lung cancer is to avoid smoke and the inhalation of carcinogens as much as possible. Many people believe that since they have been smoking for such a long period of time they are already at a risk of lung cancer and there is no need to quit. This is not true, and the earlier you quit, the faster your lungs can recover therefore reducing the risk of cancer significantly. It is also important, especially for those who are greatly at risk for cancer in general to maintain a healthy diet of organic whole foods including fruits and vegetables and regularly engage in moderate aerobic activities and exercise.

It is never to late to recognize the dangers of lung cancer and work to prevent them to not only ensure your health but also to ensure the health of your loved ones as well.

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