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Lung Cancer Risk Factors
Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, accounting for 12.7% of all new cancers cases annually (McErlean and Ginsberg, 2011, p. 173). Lung cancer is also the most lethal, killing more people each year (18.2%) that any other type of cancer (Molina, Yang, Cassivi, Schild, and Adjei, 2008, p. 584; Brennan, Hainaut, and Boffetta, 2011, p. 399). There are very large geographical differences (30 to 60-fold) in the prevalence of lung cancer, with developing countries representing a full 55% of all new cases each year (McErlean and Ginsberg, 2011, p. 173). The geographical difference in incidence highlights the dominance of environmental risk factors in lung cancer etiology.
Types of Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type, representing 85% of all lung cancers (Molina, Yang, Cassivi, Schild, and Adjei, 2008, p. 584). The three types of NSCLC are squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma, with the first two types representing 80% of all lung cancer cases (Brennan, Hainaut, and Boffetta, 2011). The second most common type of lung cancer is small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). The main difference between NSCLC and SCLC are the cell types of origin, with the former arising from bronchial epithelial-cell precursors and the...
174-175). This is due to the presence of several carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Since these compounds are also present in second-hand smoke the risk of lung cancer for non-smoking bystanders is significantly elevated compared to unexposed non-smokers. Squamous-cell carcinoma and SCLC have been found to be associated more frequently with tobacco smoke exposure, although this difference is non-significant. The incidence of squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma is declining and increasing, respectively, and is believed to be related to how the composition of cigarettes have changed over time.
Exposure to indoor radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer (McErlean and Ginsberg, 2011, p. 175). The ground in some geographic areas can produce significant amounts of radon gas that is otherwise diluted in the atmosphere, but if a building is constructed on top of these sources the gas can become trapped inside and expose inhabitants to high concentrations. Mine workers may also be exposed to significant concentrations of radon and other radioactive compounds. Inhalation of radon exposes…
References
Bissett, Randall J. And McLaughlin, John R. (2010). Radon. Chronic Diseases in Canada, 29 (Suppl. 1), 38-50.
Brennan, Paul, Hainaut, Pierre, and Boffetta, Paolo. (2011). Genetics of lung-cancer susceptibility. Lancet Oncology, 12, 399-408.
McErlean, Aoife and Ginsberg, Michelle S. (2011). Epidemiology of lung cancer. Seminars in Roenterology, 46, 173-177.
Molina, Julian R., Yang, Ping, Cassivi, Stephen D., Schild, Steven E., and Adjei, Alex A. (2008). Non-small cell lung cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and survivorship. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 83, 584-594.
Lung cancer was a less known condition till after the WWI when a sudden increase in number of cases affected by tumors of the lower respiratory tract was noticed. Prior to the WWI, the tobacco industry has increased its production manifold which was directly related with the increase in number of patients with lung cancer. Even though the tobacco industry denied having anything to do with this increase, it was
diseases i.e. lung cancer, childhood leukemia, obesity and Alzheimer's disease. In each explanation, I have included a definition of the disease, risk factors, treatments, prognosis, and prevention. Later, I have provided short literature reviews of four articles. Lung Cancer Lungs are those organs in the body that help the human beings to breathe i.e. inhale and exhale oxygen. Their primary function is to provide oxygen to every cell in the body.
Lung Cancer Cancer is a complex genetic disease in which a series of processes give rise to the final processing of the normal cell to cell tumor. In case of a tumor cell, the fundamental characteristic of the cell is lost which performs the usual function of normal cells of a particular organ. Tumor cells also deteriorate rapidly and without limit, having lost one of the features that normal cells have,
Apical growth may lead to shoulder pain radiating in an ulnar distribution. "The superior vena cava can become obstructed and involvement of the heart and pericardium can occur. Lymphatic obstruction and spread can lead to dyspnea, hypoxia, and pleural effusions. Distant metastatic disease can affect most organs. Neurologic symptoms may suggest brain metastases or spinal cord compression, and pain could indicate bone metastases" (Mazzone 2004). Treatment Surgery is the usual recourse
Clinical interventions put in place include, counseling of those teenagers who are already using tobacco and provide them with tobacco cessation. While, one of the community intervention strategies are, increase in the unit price of tobacco increased to hinder teenagers from buying hence, decreased tobacco use initiation among them. Also, there are efforts to restrict access of tobacco for minors, aided by community support to stop teenage access to
Cancer nurses with sufficient knowledge of the biological basis of these therapies would be better equipped to deal with the practical clinical implications and provide better symptoms management. The technical understanding of the nurses is also crucial in educating and in enabling the patients to take care of themselves. Further, it also goes without saying that nurses, as the primary caregivers are responsible for the emotional well being of