World Lung Cancer Day | "Fighting lung cancer, you and I are together"

World Lung Cancer Day

According to data from the National Cancer Center in 2022, there are approximately 828,100 new cases of lung cancer and approximately 657,000 deaths each year, accounting for approximately 30% of all cancer deaths. Both the number of new cases and deaths are the highest among malignant tumors in my country. Currently, the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer in my country is less than 20%. It can be seen that lung cancer is very harmful and needs our attention [1]. Lung cancer, a "dangerous killer", threatens our lives at all times. The World Health Organization has designated November 17th of each year as World Lung Cancer Day, with the aim of calling on governments around the world to pay attention to the prevention of lung cancer and to encourage people to pay more attention to and prevent lung cancer.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer, whose full name is primary bronchial lung cancer, refers to a malignant tumor originating from the bronchial mucosal epithelium. It is currently the most common and fastest-growing malignant tumor.

Typical symptoms of lung cancer

01

cough

It often manifests as a mild dry cough or a severe cough, with varying amounts of sputum. Patients with chronic long-term coughs should be alert to lung cancer if the nature of their cough changes, such as increasing frequency or frequent irritating dry coughs.

02

Coughing up blood

Smokers over 40 years old or patients with chronic cough are more likely to have lung cancer if they have blood, blood streaks or small blood clots in their sputum.

03

Chest pain

It manifests as intermittent, mild dull pain or piercing pain that can last from minutes to hours. If the tumor invades the pleura, the pain will be more severe, continuous, and fixed.

04

fever

Smokers over 45 years old who have long-term lung inflammation and fever and poor treatment results should be especially alert to the possibility of lung cancer.

05

Finger clubbing

Also known as drumstick finger: it is characterized by hypertrophy of the first joints of the fingers and toes, raised and bent nails, and is often accompanied by pain.

06

arthritis

It often exists together with finger clubbing: it manifests as migratory arthritis symptoms, burning pain in the elbows, knees, wrists, ankles, and metacarpophalangeal joints, movement disorders, and may also cause edema and bone hyperplasia of the tibia and fibula.

07

Polymyositis

Symptoms include progressive general weakness and loss of appetite. When symptoms worsen, it can lead to difficulty walking and getting out of bed[2].

High risk factors for lung cancer

Smoking

Smoking is a recognized major risk factor for lung cancer, while secondhand smoke and e-cigarettes are also major causes of lung cancer. Tobacco smoke contains a large amount of carcinogens, such as nicotine and benzopyrene, which can damage the lungs.

Occupational factors

It is currently known that asbestos, coal tar, tobacco heating products, mustard gas, and long-term inhalation of oil fumes are all related to lung cancer. Occupations related to these substances will increase the risk of lung cancer.

Air pollution

Harmful gases released from the burning of coal and oil and large amounts of automobile exhaust can increase the risk of cancer.

Ionizing radiation

Long-term exposure to minerals with ionizing radiation in nature, or long-term exposure to radiation generated by medical treatment and industrial mining, may cause lung cancer.

Chronic irritation of the airways (inflammation, scarring)

In some chronic benign lung diseases, the cells in the affected area are at an abnormally vigorous metabolic level, and the renewal rate is greatly accelerated, which greatly increases the probability of gene mutation and thus makes it easy to develop lung cancer.

Genetic factors

People with a family history of lung cancer are more likely to develop lung cancer, especially lung adenocarcinoma, than those without a family history of lung cancer. Family history of tumors is still one of the risk factors for lung cancer.

Tips for preventing lung cancer

01

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

Quitting smoking is one of the most effective measures to prevent lung cancer, and quitting smoking as early as possible is the key to preventing lung cancer. In addition, drinking too much alcohol will also increase the risk of lung cancer. It is recommended to drink in moderation or not drink at all.

02

Keep away from secondhand smoke

Avoiding passive smoking is an important measure to prevent lung cancer. Avoiding activities around smokers or being in the same room with smokers, especially in a closed indoor environment, is very important for preventing lung cancer.

03

Regular work and rest

A regular work and rest schedule can reduce physical burden and mental stress, and help maintain physical and mental health. It is recommended to get enough sleep every day and avoid staying up late and overwork. Currently, young people and middle-aged people have bad eating habits and irregular work and rest schedules, which is also the reason for the younger age of lung cancer. These habits should be changed as soon as possible [1].

04

Keep a positive attitude

Studies have shown that among the risk factors for lung cancer, psychological stress accounts for about 2.17%. Therefore, maintaining a good mental state can help reduce the incidence of lung cancer [1].

05

Avoid exposure

Exposure to environmental pollution may increase the risk of lung cancer. Avoiding exposure to outdoor air pollution, occupational exposure (such as asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens) and other harmful substances can help prevent lung cancer.

06

Weight control

Obesity is associated with the development of lung cancer. Controlling your weight can reduce the risk of lung cancer. It is recommended to control your weight through a reasonable diet and proper exercise, and avoid overeating and overeating.

07

Healthy eating

A healthy diet is essential for preventing lung cancer. It is recommended to consume foods rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, such as carrots, pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes, eggs, etc. In addition, reducing the intake of high-calorie, high-fat foods can also help prevent lung cancer. Increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein can help improve the body's resistance and thus reduce the risk of lung cancer.

08

Exercise

Physical exercise can enhance the body's immunity, improve cardiopulmonary function, and help prevent lung cancer. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, etc. In addition, strength training, such as weightlifting and push-ups, can be performed to enhance muscle strength and improve body resistance.

Key to lung cancer prevention

"Early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment." Surgery is the only recognized radical treatment method at present. The earlier the cancer is detected, the higher the chance of radical resection through surgery.

hint

Most lung cancer patients with clinical symptoms are in the late stage of lung cancer. Therefore, low-dose spiral CT (LDCT) should be performed early for people at high risk of lung cancer. Studies have shown that LDCT can reduce lung cancer mortality by about 20% compared with X-rays. LDCT can detect 85% of early lung cancer, and the expected survival rate after surgery is 92% after 10 years. Therefore, it is recommended that people at high risk of lung cancer and the middle-aged and elderly undergo regular LDCT examinations [1].

People at high risk include:

(1) Smokers, or people who have lived or worked with smokers for more than 20 years.

(2) Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

(3) People who have been exposed to asbestos, radon, beryllium, chromium, cadmium, nickel, silicon, coal smoke and coal dust at work.

(4) People whose parents, children, or siblings have been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Lung cancer, a “dangerous killer”, is indeed terrible, but “early detection, early prevention, and early treatment” can still defeat it. Xiaoe hopes that everyone can keep “early detection, early prevention, and early treatment” firmly in mind, and take action to be responsible for their own bodies, so that they can have a healthy body to enjoy a better life!