Lung cancer is becoming more and more common. How can we prevent it and detect it early? The key lies in these points. Please save it.

In recent years, the incidence and mortality of lung cancer have ranked first among all cancers, both globally and in China. The prognosis of lung cancer is closely related to the time of discovery. The earlier the discovery, the better the prognosis. Prevention is more important than treatment. So let's learn how to prevent lung cancer and how to detect lung cancer early.

Research data on the early symptoms of lung cancer show that if cancer can be detected in the early stages, the cure rate can reach 65%.

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. It is also one of the malignant tumors with the highest incidence, highest mortality, fastest growth rate and worst prognosis. Unfortunately, the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer patients in my country is still less than 15%. More than half of lung cancer patients are already in the middle and late stages when diagnosed, missing the best time for radical cure. If surgical resection can be performed in the early stages of the tumor, the prognosis of lung cancer will be significantly improved. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the early detection of lung cancer.

What are the early symptoms of lung cancer?

Generally speaking, there are three main symptoms: cough, hemoptysis, and persistent chest pain. However, these symptoms are easily ignored.

Cough is the most common symptom of lung cancer patients. When the tumor appears on the bronchial mucosa, it will easily lead to bronchial lesions. Once it is stimulated by the outside world, it will easily lead to paroxysmal coughs. Many patients will experience changes in the nature of coughs, such as irritating dry coughs. If the patient has had intermittent coughs in the past, and has had persistent dry coughs in the past 1 to 2 months, he should be alert to the presence of lung cancer.

In addition, if the patient has symptoms of coughing up blood, such as intermittent or persistent, repeated small amounts of blood in sputum, small amounts of hemoptysis, or occasional uncontrollable massive hemoptysis due to rupture of larger blood vessels, large cavities, or tumor rupture into the bronchial and pulmonary blood vessels, these are the most suggestive symptoms of lung cancer.

Irregular dull or dull pain in the chest may be caused by compression of the lung tissue and respiratory organ tissues such as the bronchi during the development of the tumor: irregular chest tightness, pressure, persistent bloating and pain, shoulder pain, etc. may also be precursors to lung cancer. It is necessary to observe the changes in the disease to see if the symptoms become more and more obvious.

In addition, long-term body fever is also a manifestation of lung cancer. There are two reasons for fever caused by lung cancer. One is inflammatory fever, where the tumor blocks the trachea, which in turn causes obstructive pneumonia and fever symptoms; the other is cancer fever, which is mostly caused by the absorption of tumor necrotic tissue by the body. However, this symptom rarely occurs in the early stage, so once this happens, please go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time to avoid worsening of the disease.

Pulmonary osteoarthritis. The distal end of the long bones undergoes periosteal hyperplasia, new bone formation, and swelling, pain, and tenderness in the affected joints. The long bones are the tibia, fibula, humerus, and metacarpal bones, and the joints are more common in large joints such as the knee, ankle, and wrist. Clinically, the main manifestations are tussock fingers (toes), which are enlarged fingers and the first joint of the toes, and the nails also become protruding and curved, and are often accompanied by pain.

Finally, superior vena cava obstruction syndrome, Horner's syndrome, pleural effusion and pericardial effusion paraneoplastic syndrome, including Cushing's syndrome, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, hypercalcemia, carcinoid syndrome and secondary proliferative osteoarthropathy, etc. are all specific manifestations of lung cancer symptoms, which will not be elaborated here.

Prevention of lung cancer: 1. Control tobacco.

The relationship between smoking and lung cancer has been proven by a large number of clinical investigations and experimental research. Nicotine in tobacco has a carcinogenic effect. Research data from American scholars show that 85% to 90% of lung cancer is related to smoking, and lung cancer caused by smoking accounts for 30% of deaths. In some developing countries, tobacco production continues to grow, causing the incidence of lung cancer to rise rapidly. According to a prospective study of tens of thousands of adult residents in Shanghai, in the same area, regardless of gender, the standardized mortality rate (SMR) of lung cancer in smokers is significantly higher than that of non-smokers, and smoking and air pollution have a synergistic effect. Therefore, quitting smoking plays an extremely important role in preventing the occurrence of lung cancer.

2. Improve air quality.

The relationship between air pollution and lung cancer has attracted increasing attention in recent years. With the development of industry, the expansion of urban scale, the increase in population density and the continuous increase in the number of cars, air pollution has become increasingly serious. In addition to harming the lungs and causing various lesions, the smoke in the atmosphere can also absorb various carcinogens discharged during industrial production, thereby aggravating their carcinogenic effects. The relationship between air pollution and lung cancer is still controversial. However, strict control of the emission of "three wastes" from industrial production and radiation pollution has a positive effect on reducing the incidence of lung cancer.

3. Things to note in life.

Pay attention to hygiene, change bad behavior, strengthen food hygiene, do not eat barbecued food, and do not exercise during peak hours when there are many people and cars. Eat a reasonable diet and physical activity, strengthen nutrition in diet, and make food diversified and nutritious. Eat mainly plant-based foods, eat more protein, vegetables, fruits, beans and processed foods of whole grains, pay attention to food hygiene, avoid high-fat, low-vitamin and low-fiber diets, prevent food from mildewing, and do not eat smoked and over-fried food. Use drugs rationally, avoid abusing drugs and radiation, especially diagnostic irradiation of pregnant women, to prevent the occurrence of leukemia, osteosarcoma, and skin cancer. Use drugs correctly under the guidance of a doctor.

Secondary prevention of lung cancer: Early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment are the core strategies for cancer prevention. People with persistent dry cough, hoarseness, or blood in sputum should be highly alert. Go to the hospital for examination in time to avoid misdiagnosis.

(Author: Wu Xueyan)