What is it?
Lung Cancer is the leading cause of Cancer deaths in Ireland, among both men and women. Lung Cancer claims more lives each year than Colon, [1] Prostate [2], Ovarian [3], Lymph and Breast Cancers [4] combined.
People who smoke have the greatest risk of Lung Cancer. The risk of Lung Cancer increases with the length of time and number of cigarettes smoked. If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.
How do I recognise it?
Lung Cancer typically doesn't cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Signs and symptoms of Lung Cancer typically occur only when the disease is advanced.
Signs and symptoms of Lung Cancer may include:
- A new cough that doesn't go away
- Changes in a chronic cough or "smoker's cough"
- Coughing up blood, even a small amount
- Shortness of breath [5]
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Losing weight without trying
- Bone pain
- Headache [6]
Causes
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 and in those who never had prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of Lung Cancer. Doctors have identified factors that may increase the risk.
How do you treat it?
Like any disease, even if there is no cure, there is almost always something you can do to manage it and take control. There are three main areas involved in the treatment of any disease:
- Conventional medicines [7]
- Complementary medicines [8]
- Complementary therapies
For information on medicines [7] and therapies relevant to Lung Cancer, make an appointment at Lynch's Pharmacy, Broadale, Douglas, Cork on 021-4366923.
Learn all about the drugs [7] used to treat Lung Cancer, and any complementary medicines [8] or therapies proven to help. Equip yourself with the tools to manage the condition and not be managed by it.
How do you live with it?
Certain adjustments may be needed to get on with your life, and often, some simple tips and advice can go a long way to making these changes.
When you come to an Lynch's Pharmacy Clinic, we give you all the necessary information available to make your life more manageable and allow you to better live with your condition.
References
Lung Cancer-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_cancer
Lung cancer, a comprehensive review http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lung-cancer/DS00038