Top 5 Signs of Lung Cancer to Long-Term Smokers

By Win Ho

Usually in the early of lung cancer, there are no special symptoms. Only when lung cancer is developed to a certain stage, there will be some symptoms, including cough, blood in sputum, fever, chest pain, chest tightness and some other respiratory symptoms. Lung cancer may easily be overlooked or be treated as pneumonia, so to cause the delay condition. People above 40 years old especially have a long history of smoking or passive smoking, must have a regular physical examination annually. People should also be vigilant immediately for medical treatment when the following performance appears, which is helpful to find lung cancer in time.

1. Chronic Cough

Tumour stimulates the trachea, will often lead to irritating cough. This cough has nothing to do with the season, time or medication. This is the most common symptoms of lung cancer, and about 2/3 of the patients have this symptom. People must be prudent when there is a cough of unknown causes. Some people who has a long-term chronic cough must go to see a doctor when he feels that the cough situation has changed.

2. Blood In Sputum

Tumour causes cell necrosis and broken of capillaries, a small amount of bleeding mixed with sputum and so this Intermittent or persistent symptom appears. About 50% of the patients with lung cancer have this symptom.

3. Chest Pain

About 30%-40% of lung cancer patients will appear chest pain, generally not keen intermittent chest pain, mainly shown as stuffy pain or vague pain with uncertain location, may continue from several minutes to several hours.

4. Repeated Fever

Bronchial cavity was blocked by tumor, poor drainage may lead to fever. The body temperature is generally under 38 degrees. Treat early with antibiotic, the body temperature can return to normal, but easy to relapse.

5. Chest Tightness And Shortness Of Breath

Tumor will affect the normal lung function, and will lead to chest tightness and shortness of breath when people are tired, which is the most obvious in central lung cancer.

Win Ho writes articles about cancers, introduces symptoms of several types of cancer, cancer causes, treatment and more. You can find more cancer informations in his site [http://www.helpcancertreatment.com]

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Lung Cancer

• Lung Cancer (Diseases and Disorders)
• Lung Cancer (Contemporary Issues in Cancer Imaging)
• Your Guide to Lung Cancer (Royal Society of Medicine)
• Understanding Lung Cancer Anatomical Chart
• 100 Questions & Answers About Lung Cancer, Second Edition
• Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices--and Hope
• How to Survive Lung Cancer - A Practical 12-Step Plan
• Lung Cancer: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Handbook (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Handbooks)
• Quick Facts on Lung Cancer
• Lung Cancer: A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
• Lung Cancer (Deadly Diseases and Epidemics)
• Lung Cancer

Early and Late Signs of Lung Cancer

By David Silva

As with most cancers, the earlier you detect lung cancer the better your chances of survival. In fact, when it's caught in the first stages, there's an almost 50% survival rate after five years. This is a remarkable number considering the fact that overall, lung cancer has only a 15% survival rate.

So the earlier it's diagnosed the better.

And that's why being aware of the signs of lung cancer can mean the difference between surviving and becoming a statistic.

The Early Signs

Since the early signs of lung cancer can easily be mistaken for other conditions, it's often difficult to take them seriously. However, if you're experiencing a chronic cough that doesn't appear related to a virus or allergy, wheezing, chest pain, bouts of bronchitis, or a persistent fever ... it's time to pay attention.

Lung cancer symptoms are often related to the location of the lesions, which settle into the tissues of the lung first. That's why the early signs tend to reflect common cold, flu, and bronchial illnesses. Once the cancer moves beyond the bronchia, new symptoms arise.

The Later Signs

Once lung cancer has metastasize and moved beyond the bronchia, the signs can expand dramatically. For instance, if the cancer has spread to the brain, then common signs might include blurred vision, stroke, and migraines. As you can see, these are serious symptoms that could be related to any number of illnesses. The point is this: don't dismiss them.

In addition, signs such as depression, weight loss, fatigue, shoulder pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness should be taken seriously.

When To See A Doctor

While you don't want to be running to your doctor every time you get the sniffles, if the above signs show themselves, especially if they're persistent, it's better to be safe than sorry. This is particularly true if you've been a smoker or are currently smoking, or if you've ever been exposed to asbestos over an extended period.

It only takes a few hours out of your life to make an appointment and visit your doctor. Here are the signs that should inspire action:

- Unexplained loss of weight - Persistent shortness of breath - Stubborn respiratory infections that keep coming back - A chronic cough that has no apparent cause - Pain in your chest - Wheezing - Fatigue (again, if it has no apparent cause)

The point to remember is that your immune system is busy fighting the cancer. This is why you may find yourself constantly run down and battling nagging infections. It's also one of the reason you may experience mood changes and irritability.

Conclusion

There is a caveat, unfortunately. Nearly a quarter of the people diagnosed with lung cancer never experience any symptoms at all. So while these lung cancer signs can serve as red flags, their absence doesn't necessarily mean everything is just fine. Another reason to see your doctor for an annual checkup.

Learn more about the early symptoms of lung cancer and additional information about lung cancer, its stages and its treatments at: Lung Cancer Insights

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Voices of Lung Cancer: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength (Kindle Edition)

Provided by the patients, their friends, families, and caregivers of those diagnaosed with lung cancer, these very personal stories offer inspired insight into the ways families and professionals care for both themselves and the patient, gain a deeper understanding of the relationships, and learn to come to terms with the end of life. Included are essays by medical experts about the science of lung cancer, current treatments, choosing the right doctors, and what the future holds for the next generation of patients.

Voices of Lung Cancer: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength

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Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices--and Hope (Paperback)

The sheer volume of information presented here is the strength of this comprehensive manual on lung cancer. Writing with freelancer Wernick, Henschke, chief of the division of chest imaging at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center, provides a medical perspective on the disease, while McCarthy, founder of the Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education (ALCASE) offers support for those afflicted as well as their caregivers. From the outset, McCarthy makes clear that the tendency of family members as well as some health-care professionals to blame smokers (nonsmokers are also diagnosed with lung cancer) when they contract lung cancer not only leads to guilt, but may actually discourage some people from seeking adequate treatment. The authors describe the many forms of lung cancer and their treatments, which include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and alternative therapies. They explain how to apply for clinical trials as well as the benefits and risks of participating. Since earlier detection improves the chances of a cure, the authors recommends the still controversial CT scans for those at high risk for lung cancer (i.e., former or current smokers). This excellent resource details how patients can learn to cope with the physical problems resulting from some treatments, how to sustain themselves emotionally while fighting the disease and ways to navigate the health-care system. An excellent resource. B&w illus.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices--and Hope

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Surviving Cancer (Paperback)

"When facing a major health crisis, connecting with people is an invaluable lifeline," writes Margie Levine in Surviving Cancer: One Woman's Story and Her Inspiring Program for Anyone Facing a Cancer Diagnosis. Call "friends in the medical field, and then friends of their friends"; call "hospitals, libraries and health clinics... cancer organizations and holistic health centers"; contact intimates and "fellow travelers" (others with cancer) for support. Such networking, says Levine, yields "information that may be more immediately useful... than what you find in books, because it is first-hand, people-driven, up-to-date, and customized to your specific situation by the questions you ask." That said, Levine, in a compassionate but matter-of-fact manner, offers an exceptionally helpful book. She suggests small, practical steps that can make a big difference organizationally, such as using a tape recorder and a medical notebook to record information. She outlines alternative therapies (massage, acupuncture, etc.), spiritual and psychological resources and practices (meditation, prayer, journaling), medications, diet and strategies for dealing with MRIs and stress in general. Recommended for anyone with cancer and their loved ones.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Surviving Cancer

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Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatments, Stages. What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer (Kindle Edition)

Lung Cancer Book: What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer... This Lung Cancer Book is for people seeking more information about Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Treatments, Stages, Signs, and Causes. It is also for family members and others seeking to learn more information on Lung Cancer and gain a better understanding on how to help and support lung cancer patients. This Lung Cancer Book is concise, factual, and to the point. This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is about lung cancer, cancer that begins in the lung. It tells about diagnosis, staging, treatment, and comfort care. Learning about the medical care for people with lung cancer can help you take an active part in making choices about your own care. This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend with you when you talk with the doctor—to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen. This Lung Cancer Book will give you the facts you need to know about this disease and all the options you need to be aware...

Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatments, Stages. What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer

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How Cigarretes Cause Cancer

Author: Sharon Bell

How do cigarettes cause lung cancer? In addition to containing many toxic gases, the tar found in your favorite brand has a lot of cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) as well as cocarcinogens which increase the production of cancer cells.

This leads to the development of small cell (oat) carcinoma, the deadliest form of lung cancer, and squamous cell cancer – both of which are usually found in smokers.

"Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day, the number of years you smoke, the amount of smoke you inhale, and the amount of tar and nicotine in the cigarettes you smoke," said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the “Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.”

While lung cancer is primarily a male problem, many women now have the disease, probably because the number of female smokers has increased. In the United States, lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer in terms of cancer deaths in women.

"The higher rates of tobacco-related cancers among men reflect the fact that in the past, more men than women smoked, and smoked heavily. In recent years, the proportion of smokers among males has been steadily decreasing in many developed countries. Unfortunately, the proportion of smokers among women has been steadily increasing all over the world,” according to Drs. Adriano V. Laudico, Divina B. Esteban, Corazon A. Ngelangel, and Lilia M. Reyes in “Cancer Facts and Estimates.”

"With many more women smoking than ever before, the number of women with lung cancer has increased at an alarming rate, so that smoking is now responsible for 75 percent of all lung cancers in women. The cancer rate for female smokers is 67 percent higher than for nonsmokers," said Marrion Morra, assistant director of the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center at Yale University in Connecticut, and Eve Potts in “Choices: Realistic Alternatives in Cancer Treatment.”

Even nonsmokers aren’t spared from the onslaught of lung cancer. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that between 500 and 5,000 cases of lung cancer appear each year in nonsmokers as a result of inhaling someone else's smoke. The side stream smoke inhaled by a nonsmoker has a higher percentage of tar, nicotine, and other poisonous gases - all of which contribute to lung cancer.

"The tobacco industry likes to tell people that there are other causes of lung cancer. But there is no denying the fact that smoking is a major cause of the disease. I don't think we have to look for other causes," said Dr. Calixto Zaldivar, former director of the Lung Center of the Philippines.

Other risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to industrial carcinogens such as asbestos, chromium compounds, radioactive ores, nickel, arsenic, and other irritating substances.

"A worker in these kinds of industries who smokes faces an even greater risk. If you are over 40, smoke two packs a day, and/or are in an occupation that is thought to be cancer producing, you should have frequent medical checkups," Morra and Potts said. (Tomorrow: How to prevent lung cancer.)

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Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.

Mesothelioma Treatment Trial Enters Phase II For Patients At Columbia University

According to news reports, Columbia University has just entered Phase II of its mesothelioma clinical trial in which two chemotherapy drugs are being tested. The trial is aimed at treating malignant pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma, which are two of the more deadly types of mesothelioma.

The trial will involve approximately 29 individuals and will last nearly six months.

Two of the drugs that will be tested include oxaliplatin and gemcitabine. According to TransWorldNews, oxaliplatin is "a platinum-containing organic compound which targets cancer cells by inhibiting or specifically preventing replication and repair of the cancer cells‚ DNA." Oxaliplatin is from Sanofi Aventis and is manufactured as Eloxatin.

The drug is commonly used in the treatment of colon and colorectal cancers, according to news reports. Gemcitabine, which is from Eli Lilly and Company is manufactured as Gemzar. The drug, according to TransWorldNews is "a cancer drug which similarly targets the replication processes of cancer cells‚ DNA by inhibiting the production of the cellular material which is necessary for DNA synthesis." Gemzar alone is used to treat patients of ovarian, lung, pancreatic and breast cancer. Combined, researchers are hoping the drugs will effectively treat and decrease mesothelioma symptoms. Recently a study from the Respiratory Disease Clinic Heckeshorn in Berlin from December 2008 found that, "a therapy of oxaliplatin and gemcitabine applied every 21 days in mesothelioma patients resulted in an increased rate of control for the disease‚ progression."

Developing Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of lung cancer that has been linked to the inhalation of asbestos fibers and asbestos dust. Asbestos is part of a mineral known as vermiculite that was heavily mined during the late 19th century and the early 20th century. It was mined across the country until the 1970s and 1980s when health and governmental regulators discovered the potential risks involved in inhaling the deadly fiber.

However, asbestos can still be found in a number of products today, approximately 3,000 applications, according to the U.S. government. Some of the following are potential uses including:

* thermal, electrical and sound insulation
* cement
* plastic
* resins
* filtration and liquid sterilization
* friction materials
* asbestos textiles
* paper fabrication
* flooring felts
* roofing products
* pipeline wrapping
* brake and clutch pads

Garnering Mesothelioma Assistance

It is imperative for individuals who suffer from mesothelioma to receive both legal and medical assistance from knowledgeable professionals. In order to prolong signs and symptoms of the disease, individuals must seek immediate medical attention.

Also, further discussing the medical issues and legalities surrounding a mesothelioma case will improve the outcome of a mesothelioma victim. Because of the extreme dangers associated with the disease, it may be possible for a victim to receive monetary compensation. Speaking with a mesothelioma attorney will provide increased knowledge of a mesothelioma case.

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Things That Can Cause Lung Cancer

Author: Jon Simms

Lung scourged is not just one disease but instead a group of diseases. All forms of bane start cells in the body to change and grow out of power. Most types of growth cells form a lump or bulk called a growth. Cells from the swelling can decipher away and voyage to other parts of the body where they can persist to grow.

This dispersal coursed is called metastasis. When sarcoma spreads, it is still named after the part of the body where it ongoing. For example, if breast growth spreads to the lungs, it is still breast evil, not lung disease.

Another word for cancerous is cruel, so a cancerous growth is termed wicked. Nevertheless not all tumors plague. A melanoma that is not evil is called gentle. Benign tumors do not grow and division the way evil does. They are generally not an attempt to life.

A few cancers, such as blood cancers (leukemia), do not form a tumor. Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the plague starts. Lung scourge begins in the lungs. The lungs are twos clean-like organs in the chest. The right lung has three sections, called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. It is slighter because the sympathy takes up more area on that trait of the body.

The lungs transport air in and out of the body, pleasing in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide gas, a weaken outcome. The lining around the lungs, called the pleura, helps to shelter the lungs and allows them to move during breathing. The windpipe (trachea) brings air down into the lungs. It divides into tubes called bronchi, which split into minor kindling called bronchioles. At the end of the small brushwood are tiny air sacs known as alveoli.

Most cancers of the lungs start in the lining of the bronchi but they can also begin in other areas such as the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli. Lung melanoma often takes many years to expound. Once the plague occurs, menace cells can crush away and allot to other parts of the body.

Cancer of the lung is a life- threatening disease because it often spreads in this way before it is found. It is the foremost root of tumor loss for both men and women. During the year 2000 there will be about 164,100 new cases of lung sarcoma in this country. About 156,900 people will die of this disease: about 89,300 men and 67,600 women.

More people die of plague of the lung than of colon, breast, and prostrate cancers mutual. Lung disease is somewhat underdone in people under the age of 40. The normal aged of people found to have canker of the lungs is 60. If the disease is found and treated by surgery early, before it has reach to lymph nodes or other organs, the five-year survival tariff is about 42%.

However, few cancers of the lung are found at this early perform. The five-year survival measure for all stages of lung tumor shared was 14% in 1995, the last year for which we have subject numbers. A venture reason is something that increases a someone's unplanned of getting a disease. Some gamble factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as an anyone's age, can't be misused.

Smoking is by far the important gamble feature for lung canker. More than 8 out of 10 diagnosed cancers of the lungs are thought to significance from smoking. The longer a role has been smoking, and the more packs per day smoked, the superior the imperil. If an anyone stops smoking before cancer develops, the lung tissue leisurely returns to normal. Stopping smoking at any age lowers the risk of lung cancer.

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Information on lung cancer symptoms can be found at the Lung Cancer Facts site.

Learn About Lung Health

Health is always on the minds of Canadian women and Lung Cancer Canada wants to make lung health a priority. Lung cancer kills more women in Canada every year than any other cancer. It's estimated that this year alone, more than 10-thousand women will be

Lung Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Author: peterhutch

Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth may lead to metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. The vast majority of primary lung cancers are carcinomas of the lung, derived from epithelial cells. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women,[1][2] is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually.

What causes lung cancer?

Smoking

The incidence of lung cancer is strongly correlated with cigarette smoking, with about 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco use. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked over time; doctors refer to this risk in terms of pack-years of smoking history (the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked).

Lung cancer most commonly begins in the cells that line your lungs. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers — both in smokers and in people exposed to secondhand smoke. But lung cancer also occurs in people who never smoked. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of lung cancer. Doctors have identified factors that may increase the risk.

Cancer that originates from lung cells is called a primary lung cancer. Primary lung cancer can start in the airways that branch off the trachea to supply the lungs (the bronchi) or in the small air sacs of the lung (the alveoli). Cancer may also spread (metastasize) to the lung from other parts of the body (most commonly from the breasts, colon, prostate, kidneys, thyroid gland, stomach, cervix, rectum, testes, bone, or skin).

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms are commonly not experienced until the disease had advanced, sometimes delaying diagnosis. The symptoms of lung cancer also mimic the symptoms of other benign illnesses.

The most common lung cancer symptoms experienced are :

Onset of wheezing

Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis

A persistent cough that does not go away

A sign is also an indication that something is not right in the body. But signs are defined as things that can be seen by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. Fever, rapid breathing rate, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia.

Lung Cancer Diagnosis

To help find the cause of symptoms, your doctor will evaluate your medical history, smoking history, exposure to environmental and occupational substances, and family history of cancer. Your doctor also will perform a physical exam and may recommend a chest X-ray and other tests. If lung cancer is suspected, sputum cytology — the microscopic examination of cells obtained from a deep-cough sample of mucus in the lungs — is a simple test that may be useful in detecting lung cancer. To confirm the presence of lung cancer, your doctor must examine tissue.

How can I prevent lung cancer?

The best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking, or to never start in the first place. You should try and avoid being around people who are smoking; and also avoid pipes, cigars, and marijuana. If you live in an area with radon, you should make sure there is adequate ventilation in your basement to get rid of it. Use a detector to make sure the radon levels are low.

Treatment Of Lung Cancer

Many factors must be taken into account to determine the best treatment for an individual diagnosed with lung cancer. The specific type of cell, the location of the lung tumor, the stage of the disease with possible metastasis (spread to other parts of the body), and the general health of the individual must be considered. Various treatment plans may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery.

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Lycopene Lung Cancer Treatment

By Randolph Meresmaa

Lycopene is what gives tomatoes, and several other fruits, their deep red color. But lycopene is also a powerful antioxidant that has shown remarkable effect on degenerative diseases. Tomatoes are the only major dietary source of lycopene. According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), tomatoes may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Lycopene is present naturally in human plasma in greater amounts than beta carotene and other essential dietary carotenoids. This may indicates its greater biological significance in the human defense system. The researchers in P&S and Harlem Hospital evaluated the association between lung cancer and lycopene.

Investigators collected blood samples from 93 individuals with non-small cell lung cancer and also from 102 matched controls, in a case-control study. They tested tested the samples for levels of certain micronutrients, including retinol, lycopene and beta-carotene.

The researchers found no significant differences between control subjects and subjects with lung cancer. in most of the micronutrients for which they did the tests. But they did find that lung cancer patients had significantly lower concentrations of lycopene.

After adjusting for age, race, sex, drinking, smoking, vitamin supplements, occupational exposure and season, the investigators found that the group with the lowest levels of lycopene, had almost a three-fold increased risk for cancer compared with the group with the highest lycopene levels.

When the investigators evaluated current smokers, they found that the group with the lowest lycopene blood levels had four times the risk of cancer than the group with the highest lycopene levels. According to Dr. Jean G. Ford, assistant professor of medicine and principal investigator:

"We concluded from our findings that low intake of lycopene may be a risk factor for lung cancer, especially for smokers. Even though our findings are preliminary, they add to the growing body of evidence that diets rich in tomatoes and tomato products are strongly linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer."

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General Facts on Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment For Lung Cancer

by Michael Lee

Educating yourself about the general facts on lung cancer is essential to help prevent acquiring the disease. As the number one cause of death among men in America and one of the major causes of death cases throughout the world, health experts are furthering their efforts in trying to unearth general facts on lung cancer, and how this disease can be so deadly.

Among the various type of cancer deaths, lung cancer is responsible for 29 percent of that. In fact, there are more death cases for lung cancer as compared to the data of deaths for prostate, breast, and colon cancers combined. Hence, you can begin protecting yourself now by arming yourself with the general facts on lung cancer before it's too late.

Causes Of Lung Cancer

When people think of lung cancer, they often associate it with cigarette smoking. Indeed, this is one of the leading causes of the disease. But it is not the only factor.

One of the major focus of research for health experts regarding lung cancer is the genetic factor. Most cancerous cells develop when there is an error in the mutation of DNA cells. That error in itself can be affected by other environmental factors as well, which has led health experts to go back to examining external factors that can contribute to the formation of cancerous cells.

Too much exposure to asbestos has been cited as one crucial environmental factor causing lung cancer. Asbestos is a kind of mineral that is made up of bundled up fibers and naturally occurs in the environment. These fibers, when inhaled by a person exposed to them, can be trapped in one's lungs and accumulate until it causes an inflammation on the lungs.

Another crucial factor that could elicit the development of lung cancer is inhaling secondhand smoke. Although cigarette smoking can increase your chances of acquiring lung cancer, those who inhale it are at a higher risk. Secondhand smoke consists of two types of smoke: those that are produced by the burning of the tobacco product and those exhaled by the smoker.

Please pay very close attention to these general facts on lung cancer, so you can avoid the factors that could put you at risk in acquiring the disease.

Symptoms Of Lung Cancer

Since it affects your respiratory system, common symptoms associated with lung cancer are related to such conditions affecting the respiratory illness.

It is a rare case for lung cancer to be diagnosed early, which is why awareness of the general facts on lung cancer is of extreme importance for early diagnosis.

• Prolonged cases of cough.
• Uncharacteristic wheezing.
• Pain on the back, chest, or shoulder.
• Coughing blood or mucus.
• Constant shortness of breath.
• Swollen neck or face.
• Pneumonia or other respiratory infections, etc

Treatment For Lung Cancer

Before a treatment option is to be determined for lung cancer patients, it is important to diagnose its type and stage first. Here are some of the more common types of treatment:

1) Surgery This method of treatment is best only for patients who are diagnosed early due to the possibility of the cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body despite inability to detect it via scan.

2) Chemotherapy This treatment is best used for individuals with small cell lung cancer. Oftentimes, this treatment is accompanied by radiotherapy. This treatment is known as chemoradiation.

3) Radiotherapy This treatment is directed on the patient's head, in order to prevent the cancer cells from spreading to the brain. It is recommended only for individuals with small cell lung cancer and those who had their tumor removed via surgery.

Equipping yourself with general facts on lung cancer is your best weapon against the disease.

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What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer and What Should You Do If You Have It?

By Wayne Wilkinson

Since the mining days, the workers on the mining sites especially the ones with asbestos, suffered sooner or later from a form of cancer which is known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which affects people due to prolonged exposure to asbestos dust, fiber etc.

This form of cancer affects the lining along the walls of the internal organs which is known as mesothelium. It mainly is prominent in the lungs and the chest walls. Working with asbestos is said to be the main cause of mesothelioma lung cancer and is believed to be more prominent in men than in women.

If a person who is suffering form mesothelioma lung cancer and believes that the onset of the disease is due to his past working experience in an asbestos mining site, then the affected person can file a lawsuit against the mining company. By filing a lawsuit the affected person cannot improve his health conditions but can definitely hope to provide sufficient compensation for his hospitalization and care and his family benefits.

In order to file a lawsuit, an mesothelioma affected person can do so individually or in a group of similarly affected people. If a group of people file a lawsuit, then its known as a class action lawsuit and will have to have certain benefits for the affected persons. This is because, class action lawsuits will have to have a deadline set for settlement and the group can be represented by an mesothelioma class action lawyer.

Howsoever you go for a lawsuit, your lawyer and law firm should have the required expertise in the field of mesothelioma compensation. A good lawyer can derive from his past experience and help you to decide what should be the right form of action and procedures.

You should always be in touch with your lawyer about the case and the status of the lawsuit so that if any information is required from your side, it can be communicated as soon as is possible. When you retain your mesothelioma lawyer you should check out what their payment terms and conditions are. Most of the mesothelioma lawyers do not charge their mesothelioma affected clients with any form of fees till the case is settled.

When the case is lost, the mesothelioma lawyer does not charge the client any compensation for his item and effort. On the other hand , if the affected client has won the compensation , then the lawyer will get a percentage of the winnings. This ensures that the lawyer will be putting 100% in the case and there will be no fraudulent scenarios. So these conditions can be reviewed by the client at the onset of a new case so that there is no confusion regarding the lawyer's fees and other charges later on.

If you are in doubt as to whether to consult a mesothelioma lawyer, do proceed towards a reputed law firm, as most of the mesothelioma lawyers do not charge for a consultation. After the free consultation if you decide not to go through with a mesothelioma lawsuit, you will have no obligations towards the lawyers.

For help locating a mesothelioma cancer attorney please visit: http://www.MesotheliomaLawsuitExperts.com

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Urine Test Could Gauge Smokers Lung Cancer Risk

By Ty Magnum

Humans can often be stubborn, & ignorant. Smoking has short & long term health risks, yet we continue to light up the "ole cancer stick." Often, nothing can make us stop this nasty habit, believing it "won't happen to me."

Recently, evidence was produced at the American Association for Cancer Research that a warning test may be available in the next few years to be used as a "kick in the pants" for smokers.

Research has shown that when a risk of lung cancer is high, a person's urine shows an elevated percentage of 2 different chemicals.

Lung cancer is the most deadly of all tumors, with more than 215,020 new diagnosis being made in 2008. There are approximately 60 carcinogens found in tobacco smoke; identifying the byproducts or metabolites may help researchers determine which may lead to tumors.

Smokers with an advanced level of the metabolite NNAL have been recognized as having 2 times the likelihood of contracting lung cancer.

Cotinine has also been recognized as a huge indicator of risk. It is a nicotine byproduct, & the presence of this metabolite in smokers has shown them to have 3 times the risk, as compared to smokers with lower levels.

The unfortunate patient who has elevated levels of both cotinine & NNAL are 8.5 times more destined to have lung cancer, than those smokers with lower levels of the two.

It has been found that these 2 factors mean more danger for smokers than even daily consumption, or length of smoking time.

What makes one smoker more likely to have concentrated levels of these byproducts than another one? No one knows. Metabolic systems, heredity and genes all play a definitive part.

Researchers under no circumstances want this to be a license for some smokers to continue their nasty habit even though their levels of the 2 byproducts may be low. Smoking has no value, it only has detriments for the body and for those inhaling their secondary smoke. Hopefully, the urine test, in the future, will provide a needed wake up call and save lives.

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First Symptoms of Lung Cancer

By Randolph Meresmaa

Lung cancer is the most lethal of malignant diseases worldwide and is still the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the USA. Although the overall deaths in Western Europe and United Stated have decreased since 1991, global lung cancer rates are expected to rise because of ongoing tobacco use.

For the majority of the time lung cancer is clinically silent because they grow from a single malignant cell to a potentially detectable lesion. The majority of people already have the symptoms of lung cancer at the time of diagnosis. In only about 10% of cases is lung cancer discovered incidentally in an asymptomatic patient.One of the first symptoms of lung cancer is cough, which occurs in 45-75% of patients. Cancer types with a predilection for central airway involvement may cause cough earlier in their course. But peripherally located tumors may only cause cough as a late symptom. A change in the character of a chronic cough, such as new hemoptysis or co-existent chills and fever, should raise suspicion of an additional process such as lung cancer.

Tumor involvement of the chest wall, parietal pleura, and mediastinum leads to chest pain as an initial symptom or complaint in 25-50% of patients. Other causes of pain include postobstructive pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, and rib cage metastases.

5-8% of lung cancer patients experience hoarseness which is usually attributable to unilateral left vocal paralysis resulting from damage to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve anywhere along its intrathoracic course.

Physical exam is a vital component of the lung cancer evaluation as it may provide important prognostic, diagnostic, and staging clues. The outside appearance may look normal or it may reveal debilitation, cachexia, lethargy, pallor, jaundice, fever, or significant comorbidities. Blood pressure irregularities can be seen in conjunction with neurologic or adrenal paraneoplastic phenomena.

A thorough nervous system examination is crucial, especially in patients with headache, sensorimotor complaints, and back pain. Unilateral lower extremity swelling, tenderness, and erythema may accompany deep venous thromboses.

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What Causes Lung Cancer?

By Randolph Meresmaa

Lung cancer is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide. It is the most common cause of cancer related deaths among men and second most common among women. Unfortunately the deaths are increasing not decreasing.

1. Smoking

No surprise here, smoking is the leading cause. Almost 90% of this disease is caused by smoking in the developed world. The risk of developing it for male smokers is 17.2% and 11.6% for female smokers. So the risk factor is very high. If you are a nonsmoker then the risk of having lung cancer is 1.3% for men and 1.4% in women. The changes of developing it is influenced by the time a person smokes and also by the rate a person smokes. And if a person stops smoking then the risk of cancer will steadily decrease because damage to the lungs is repaired slowly. Passive smoking is also a cause of cancer among nonsmokers. Someone living or working with smoker(s) is considered a passive smoker. If you live with a smoker, you have 2 to 3 times the risk of developing this disease compared with a person who lives in a nonsmoking environment.

2. Radon Gas

Radon exposure is the second major cause, after smoking. Radon is a gas that is generated by the breakdown of radioactive radium, it is colorless and odorless. This process of breaking down radium can cause mutations that sometimes can turn cancerous. The levels of radon gas vary by the composition of underlying soil and rocks. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one in 15 homes in the United States has radon levels that are above the recommended guideline.

3. Asbestos

Asbestos is a material that is used in construction. In the UK, asbestos accounts for 2-3% of male lung cancer deaths. Asbestos can enter the body by being inhaled or swallowed. Contact with asbestos over time has been linked with the disease. Most contact with asbestos is work-related. There is also a synergistic effect between smoking tobacco and asbestos in the formation of lthe disease.

4. Viruses

Viruses are known to cause this disease among animals and recent evidence has shown the there is a similar potential in humans as well. Implicated viruses include human papillomavirus, JC virus, simian virus 40, BK virus, and cytomegalovirus. These viruses may affect the cell cycle and inhibit apoptosis, allowing uncontrolled cell division.

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Mesothelioma and Litigation: How to Get Cash For Asbestos Lung Cancer Palliative Care

By Peter Nisbet

Mesothelioma is a particularly nasty form of lung cancer, and mesothelioma litigation is increasingly being used as a means of getting cash for asbestos lung cancer palliative care. Without it, many families would not be able to afford professional care for their loved ones, and would have to tend for them themselves at the worst possible time for them and for the patient.

Incidences of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer are steadily increasing, which indicates just how insidious this disease is. Caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, the symptoms can take upwards of 40 years after exposure to appear, and may people who suffer do not even remember being exposed to the substance. It does not take much exposure, and many cannot understand the diagnosis when it is available because they cannot remember ever being exposed to asbestos.

There are no known 100% effective conventional medical treatments for mesothelioma, and the prognosis is generally bad. However, there are several things that can be done to alleviate pain and make the patient’s life more comfortable. While drugs can help, hospice care is an option that takes pressure of the family and provides a comfortable environment for the patient. However, these alternatives can be expensive and if responsibility can be placed on an employer for the exposure that ultimately led to the disease, then compensation can pay for the palliative care.

This is not seeking charity, but rather making those responsible pay for the treatment. A high level of compensation will be needed to pay for the treatment and care needed, and in order to achieve this result you will require the services of a good mesothelioma attorney. Any lawyer will not do due to the specialized knowledge needed to persuade judges and juries that there very few causes of asbestos lung cancer other than exposure to the fibrous silicates that make up asbestos.

The compensation awarded can be very large, although smokers will receive less since their habit can be construed as contributing to the disease. Mesothelioma is not just another word for asbestos cancer, but is in fact a cancer of the mesothelium, a membrane that lines many body cavities, including the thoracic, or chest cavity. The lining of the lungs is called the pleura, so mesothelioma refers to any form of lung cancer involving that membrane. In fact 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by smoking.

It is therefore very difficult for smokers to blame asbestos exposure for mesothelioma unless they have been working with asbestos. However, a good asbestos attorney should be able to secure a reasonable level of compensation, even for a smoker. It will be a fight though, since the asbestos companies and employers that required employees to work with the substance are aware of the high levels of compensation being awarded, and now actively fight such cases.

When you consult a law firm with a view to instructing them to fight your mesothelioma case, you should insist on talking with the attorney that will be handling your case. You can then discuss your strategy, and you can make sure that your attorney has had previous success with such cases. You don’t want to retain a loser!

Ask questions, and determine the success rate of your prospective attorney in such cases. He or she must also appreciate your condition and understand how you feel, so that they can fight your case properly. Nothing can beat experience in a mesothelioma asbestos cancer lawsuit, so make sure that you get the best you can afford. Better still: tell them their fee depends upon them winning!


About the Author: For more information on mesothelioma litigation, and asbestos lung cancer palliative care, check out Pete’s website on Welsh Health where you will find lots of good advice on choosing the right attorney.

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How Smoking Causes Lung Cancer

By Randolph Meresmaa

It has been well known for the entire second half of the 20. century that smoking caused lung cancer. Smoking not only increases the risk of lung cancer among smokers, but the risk of esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, oral cavity cancer, kidney cancer and also laryngeal cancer is increased as well. These forms of cancers are expected to rise among women as a result of their increased levels of smoking.

The heavy use of tobacco not only causes different types of cancer, but it also increases the risk of many cardiovascular diseases. In eastern and also central europe more than 400 000 premature deaths are caused by tobacco smoking each year. The current levels of lung cancer among young men in eastern and central europe is greater than ever before. Cigarette smoking is unfortunately still going up in central and eastern europe and also in China, where tobacco related deaths are increasing very rapidly. Lung cancer is the major tobacco-related tumor and the leading cause of cancer death in men in almost all developed countries. Since lung cancer is frequently fatal, mortality rates are high, and consequently so are the social costs.

Cigarette smoking among women has also increased dramatically. More and more women take up cigarette smoking all over the world. For many years it appeared that the rates of lung cancer where low and that tobacco was not having the same effect for women as it has for men. But this has now turned out to be false and there is no evidence that the risk of lung cancer because of smoking is greater in men than in women. It takes a long time between the exposure and the effect. Lung cancer now exceeds breast cancer as the leading cancer cause of death in women in Canada, the USA, Scotland, and many other countries.

Cigarette smoking kills half of all those who adopt the habit, with half of the death occurring in middle age and each losing about 20 years of non-smoker's life expectancy. Lung cancer is of course the most common cause of death but cigarette smoking can cause death in 24 different ways. Cigarette smoking in men has been declining while it has been increasing in women. And also the lung cancer rates have increased among women and decreased among men. Tobacco is a addictive drug, there is no such thing as a "safe" cigarette, young adults should be convinced not to smoke and smokers should be helped and urged to stop. Hopefully some day in the future we can say "how smoking caused lung cancer" not "how smoking causes lung cancer."

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What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer

By Randolph Meresmaa

It is very hard to detect the symptoms of lung cancer because you may have symptoms like shortness of breath, cough that you that are related to respiratory problems. Knowing exactly what are the symptoms of lung cancer is also important because the earlier it is detected the better your chances are of recovery. The more people are aware of the possible symptoms the easier the treatment will be.

Symptoms of lung cancer can be:

• Coughing that does not go away or is different then before. Smokers who have chronic coughing have a change in how much they cough and how severe the coughing is. • Shortness of breath. It is a common symptom of many medical disorders. • Back, chest or shoulder pain that often gets worse with deep breathing and does not go away. • Coughing up bloody mucus or blood • Wheezing. Wheezing is commonly experienced by persons with a lung disease; the most common cause of recurrent wheezing is asthma, a form of reactive airway disease. • Swelling in the neck and face • Loss of appetite and/or weight loss (Cachexia). It can be a sign of various underlying disorders; when a patient presents with cachexia, a doctor will generally consider the possibility of cancer, metabolic acidosis. • Recurring respiratory infections • Difficulty in swallowing (Dysphagia.) • Numbness and weakness of the legs and arms • Bone pain • Vormiting and nausea • Headaches • Seizures

Many of the symptoms of lung cancer are nonspecific. In many patients, the cancer has already spread beyond the original site by the time they have symptoms and seek medical attention. About 10% of people with lung cancer do not have symptoms at diagnosis.

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Learn About Lung Cancer Symptoms

By Sandy Griffin

There are several types of lung cancers, some of which have distinct symptoms, while others are characterized by an absence of any kind of symptoms even in their most advanced stages. This absence of symptoms can make the already difficult task of detecting lung cancer even more difficult.

Here are some of the different types of lung cancer and some of the pertinent facts about each one of them.

The different types of lung cancer are categorized into two basic types: small cell and non-small. Mesothelioma is yet another kind of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. Some of the more common symptoms include:

-Pain in the chest -A persistent cough that is present for a long time -Wheezing sound while breathing -Shortness of breath -Presence of blood in the sputum -Unexplained weight loss -Fever -Swelling in the face or neck area

Symptoms are typically unnoticeable especially during the early stages of the disease, making the detection of the disease even more complicated than ever and making it difficult to determine whether or not it is necessary to seek medical attention. In the absence of symptoms, knowing the risk factors for lung cancer could help you make a more informed decision.

Considering smoking is one of the major risk factors for contracting lung cancer, giving it up is the first step towards reducing the likelihood of getting any kind of lung cancer. Giving up smoking also lowers the risk of developing other forms of cancer including cancer of the larynx and the throat as well as other parts of the body. A sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet are the other common risk factors.

Studies reveal that almost three thousand people who are non-smokers develop lung cancer every year by inadvertently inhaling second-hand smoke. Unfortunately, despite the fact that no cigarette has touched their lips, they have the same susceptibility rate and the same symptoms as those who smoke.

If you or a loved one suspects the presence of any of the above-mentioned lung cancer symptoms, a visit to the doctor is called for. The fast-multiplying and rapid-spreading nature of the disease, makes early detection all the more important. Though it may not exactly be life-saving, the earlier you detect the presence of any lung cancer symptoms the earlier treatment can be sought, increasing the chances of retarding the progress of the disease. Prevention is of course better than cure and knowing what the risk factors are can help you avoid them, thus lowering your odds of contracting the disease.

Signs of Colon Cancer

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Searching For the Right Lung Cancer Treatment

By Lester Lee

Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, the next thing you should do is to discuss with your doctors the most suitable lung cancer treatment for you. There are various options available for the treatment of lung cancer, but you will need to discuss these options carefully with your doctors and family before making a decision on the treatment method. Please bear in mind that the earlier the cancer is treated, the better will be your prognosis from this deadly disease.

Surgery is obviously one of the more effective treatment for removing the cancer from the body, however it all depends on how far along the cancer is. CT and PET scans are used to determine is the cancer can be removed through surgery, or if it is too far along and has spread to other areas making it harder to perform surgery. Blood tests and spirometry or lung function testing are also used to see if the patient can be operated on. Surgical procedures include wedge resction or partial removal of the lobe, a lobectomy or removal of one lobe, a bilobectomy or removal of two lobes, and pneumonectomy or the removal of an entire lung. A lobectomy is the most common form of surgery because it reduces the chance of the cancer returning.

Chemotherapy is also used to reduce the risk of the cancer recurring. The kind of chemotherapy used depends on the type of cancer and where it is located in the lungs. Radiotherapy is often used along with chemotherapy.

Another form of lung cancer treatment besides these two is targeted therapy. Gefitinib is one such drug that targets the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor. This has shown to increase the chances of survival in many of the people whom have taken this drug. Erlotinib is another drug that has been shown to increase the survival rate in cancer patients. Both of these drugs have been shown to be very effective in females, Asians and non-smokers.

Becoming diagnosed with lung cancer is a very serious thing to be told. There are several ways the cancer can be treated now but it is important to know all the lung cancer treatment options that are available to you. It is best to get surgery if at all possible, but if the cancer has spread into other areas, surgery is out of the question. Then chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy can be considered. You should also explore the possibility of using other alternative cancer treatments. However, it is important for you to speak with your doctor the instance you have gotten lung cancer.

Lester Lee is the webmaster of http://www.Cancer-Tumor.info, an informative website that provides the latest advice, info and updates on Lung Cancer Treatment

Visit our site today for more helpful info on Lung Cancer Treatment and other similar topics.

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Human Genome Project For Lung Cancer

By Karl Dorads

The human genome project was started to map the human genome right until the nucleotide level and then identify all the human genes. The genome of human beings is the human genome. A Genome is a full set of chromosomes. Studying this genome can result in a lot of findings that can be applied to cure diseases. One of the primary beneficiaries of this is that the biological changes due to any disease in the genome can be found out and hence therapy can be formulated to battle against cancer due to results from the human genome project for lung cancer.

A study which was the human genome Project for lung cancer was recently conducted by a group of international scientists to study the underlying effects on genes when you have lung cancer. They were effectively trying to map the genetic changes to the lung cancer. The results of this study indicate the presence of a number of undiscovered genes in the lung cancer cells. Apart from this the scientists discovered a critical gene alteration. This provides more targets for therapy. Apart from the increased potential to formulate new strategies for therapy, this increases the knowledge of the biology of lung cancer and thus will be able to answer the question "how does lung cancer begin?" It has served to find the missing pieces of the puzzle and this research is beneficial for other types of cancers too. This is because the findings from this series of tests indicate a general procedure that should be followed for other types of cancer as well.

It is known that lung cancer arises from changes in the DNA that accrue throughout a person's life. Hence studying the human genes and mapping the changes to lung cancer allows the researchers to find out the specific changes that occur in the genes that contribute to lung cancer. It is because of the lack of this knowledge that researchers are not able to find better treatment for cancer. The Human Genome Project for Lung Cancer attempts to bridge this divide and thus make discoveries that can be translated to effective therapy for lung cancer patients. The study conducted by these international scientists has managed to pinpoint the exact gene that regulates the activity of cancer cells. This is a huge step towards understanding the genetic alterations and the effect it has on the cancer. The key goal is to identify vulnerabilities in the cancer cells so that it can be taken advantage of while trying to remove cancer cells from the body. This is possible only by learning as much as possible about the cancer by pinpointing specific genetic changes in the lung. This helps in the drug formulations. With the knowledge that only a select group of cells control cancerous growth, drugs can formulated to specifically target those group of cells hence making the drug extremely effective in removing cancer cells.

This study was just a pilot project for the bigger study to follow. The next Human Genome Project for lung cancer study will try to unearth all the possible genetic causes of lung cancer. The results expected from the next project are expected to be comprehensive and to enhance the knowledge about the genetic causes of lung cancer. It can increase the number of general facts on lung cancer.

You can visit our website for more information about Cancer and Sarcoma. We have a lot of articles about Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Sarcoma Muscle Cancer, ...

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Asbestos - Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer

By Michael Russell

Asbestos has many appealing qualities for builders. It is strong, flexible and corrosion resistant. It is also burn resistant and a good insulator. There are not many substances with these qualities and may explain why it was so widely used. It becomes hazardous when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or damaged. Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers. When the materials become disturbed or damaged, these fibers separate and may become airborne. These fibers may get into the lungs and that may lead to serious and even fatal diseases. Some of these diseases include:

Asbestosis is a non-cancerous lung disease. Inhaling asbestos fibers for an extended period of time causes it. This disease takes twenty five to forty years to develop. As asbestos fibers become trapped in your lungs, the body will produce an acid to try to eliminate these fibers. The continued production of the acid can eventually scar the tissues in your lungs. An excessive amount of scarring may cause the lungs to function improperly. This can lead to serious breathing difficulties. If asbestosis is left untreated, it may cause cardiac failure. At this time, there is no effective treatment for this disease. People who renovate or demolish buildings that contain asbestos have the greatest risk of getting asbestosis. The chances of getting this disease through physical contact with a person who works with asbestos are minimal. People who worked in naval shipyards were the first ones diagnosed with asbestosis.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the pleura (the outer membrane that encloses the lung and chest cavity) and/ or the peritoneum (the membrane lining the walls of the abdominal cavity). In the United States, there are only about 3000 new cases of this disease annually. Exposure to asbestos has been the cause in all of the cases. The exposure in these cases lasted anywhere from fifteen to thirty years. Unlike other forms of cancer, there is only one known cause of mesothelioma. Studies indicate that people who work in areas that contain asbestos, such as mines, mills, factories, or shipyards, or who manufacture and install asbestos installation are at the greatest risk of getting mesothelioma. You are also at risk if you live with a worker exposed to asbestos or near any area containing asbestos. Studies also indicate that younger people are more likely to contract mesothelioma when they inhale asbestos. This is the reason why people are going to great lengths to protect school children from asbestos exposure.

Many cases of lung cancer can also be attributed to asbestos exposure. Lung cancer is actually the leading cause of death among all of the illnesses caused by asbestos exposure. You can aggravate the effects of lung cancer by about fifty percent if you start smoking. People who work in occupations where they are directly involved in the handling of asbestos are at a greater risk of getting lung cancer. Exposure to both asbestos and another carcinogen, such as cigarette smoke, puts you at greater risk of contracting lung cancer than exposure to asbestos alone. There was a study that indicated that exposure to asbestos and smoke makes you ninety times more likely to contract lung cancer than a person who is not exposed to either. Some of the symptoms of lung cancer include coughing, breathing irregularities, chest pains and anemia. It usually takes fifteen to thirty years of exposure to asbestos to contract lung cancer.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Asbestos

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Lung Cancer Symptoms

By Candis Reade

Lung cancer is a very deadly disease which costs life of many people every year. Cancer is a deadly disease because it shows almost no symptoms in the early stages. The victim who fall prey to it does not even know that he is suffering from the deadly cancer disease. So, it is important to diagnose lung cancer in an early stage to get rid of it. Though, it is hard to prevent this disease, but the early symptoms of it can be caught to prevent it from further growing. Let us discuss various symptoms of lung cancer which can help in diagnosing it at an early stage.

The first symptom of lung cancer is low rate of breath. The person affected with lung cancer experiences shortness in breath and this symptom is called as dyspnea. Blood coughing is another symptom of lung cancer and it is medically called as hemoptysis. This symptom is generally related with hematemesis which is blood vomiting. The other warning of cancer is experiencing ache during coughing. Any change in the style of coughing can be a sign or symptom of lung cancer. The symptoms like quick weight loss, feeling of excessive exhaustion, and no desire of eating any kind of food stuff are some of the main symptoms of lung cancer. Person suffering with lung cancer may also experience chest pain.

There are other symptoms of cancer which generally show up but can occur in some of the patients. These symptoms include hoarseness in speech and change in voice tone. In medical term hoarseness is known as cachexia. It is a strong indication of lung cancer. The patient suffering from lung cancer experiences pain while swallowing solid food stuff. The victim also experiences swelling on face and also on the neck region. Swelling in neck occurs because of the blockage in lymph nodes and that of face is because of the blockage in main blood vessel. The other symptom of lung cancer is clubbing of fingers or irregularity in fingers. This symptom is very uncommon but can be a big symptom of cancer. Pain in shoulders can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Pain in bones, experiencing weakness of the muscles and eyelids are rare symptoms of lung cancer.

There are some other symptoms too which occur because of the hormones secreted by the lung cancer. These symptoms are extension of the eyes, feeling numbness in body especially hands, fingers and legs. Appearance of lumps on different portions of the skin is another rare symptom of lung cancer. Experiencing severe pain in the abdomen portion is another symptom. Swelling of chest in men is a rare symptom but can occur in some of the patients. Development of lumps in the salivary gland areas is another uncommon symptom of lung cancer.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

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How to Lower Your Risk of Getting Lung Cancer

By Alan Wighton

It is very rare for lung cancer to only have one cause; we know that because not everybody who smokes cigarettes gets lung cancer. I had an uncle who smoked most of his life and died at the grand age of 99. Fortunately he was smart enough to give up smoking in his sixties. Rather than simply being caused by passing smoke through your lungs, lung cancer is typically triggered by many causes, smoking being the main one. The other causes of lung cancer are nutritional deficiencies, toxins in your environment, our sedentary lifestyle and sometimes emotional conflict.

Now passing smoke through your lungs is not a very clever thing to do, we do it at a young age because we think we're invincible and maybe we are, but as we age we most definitely are not. The biggest health problem with the habit of smoking is, it inhibits the body from absorbing the vitamins and minerals we so badly need to maintain our health. It also irritates the delicate linings of the lungs and cancer will take hold in some part of the body that has been weakened by any damage or irritation.

The food we eat on a daily basis is the foundation of our health. Our diets today have changed vastly and the typical western diet is not known for its health giving qualities. We may think we are eating well but when you consider that we are designed to eat only freshly grown fruit and vegetables, a few whole grains and one or two other items one can see that we have strayed far from a healthy diet. A big percentage of our food intake these days is processed food and nearly all of it is nutritional dead food because of its processing and because it's old. Our poor food choices are most certainly a major contributor to all cancers.

Most of the chemicals we surround ourselves with these days are extracted from crude oil, in other words the petro-chemical industry and they do effect us. 100 years ago there weren't any chemicals but today we are overwhelmed by them. We breathe them in as in exhaust gases from motor vehicles, we use them on our body as in personal care products, even so called natural ones have some chemicals in them, and we take them in directly in the form of food additives. They are also in the homes we live in, because of the many products used in the building industry.

The human body was designed to be physically active and if we neglect this basic function we'll inevitably pay the price in the form of health problems. Some form of exercise on a daily bases is very important to both avoid cancer and to fight cancer. Once again because of the motor car and cheap oil, we seldom get the exercise we so badly need. When we exercise we are enriching our bodies with oxygen and cancer cells cannot survive in an oxygenated environment. That was proven back in 1931.

Emotional conflict can weaken our immune system and that is well recognised. It's because we're holding onto a problem like a personal crises in some form and it's wearing us down. The only solution I can suggest is to seek help to resolve the issues.

Our bodies have amazing self healing powers that can eliminate cancer, but we have to provide the right conditions to allow that to happen. The bottom line is, you need to take charge of your cancer and no one can do it for you. Appropriate diet and lifestyle changes are your first line of defence.

Alan Wighton is an independent health researcher, having spent many years gaining knowledge, particularly on the subject of cancer. If you have found this article helpful and would like to learn more, visit his website where you can download a free article that has been written with facts and information to help people overcome their cancer. http://www.cancerhealed.com

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