Lung Cancer: Understanding the Risks

05/17/2021

Lung cancer is a malignancy marked by the uncontrollable growth of cancerous cells in the lungs. These unhealthy cells gradually replace all the healthy ones, which causes the lungs to become dysfunctional over time. Lung cancer is a progressive disease and can affect people of any age group or gender. The malignancy is triggered by unhealthy mutations in the DNA of the cells present in the lungs. Although the exact cause of lung cancer is not known, there are certain risk factors that may increase your vulnerability to developing lung cancer.

In this blog, we have targeted some of the major risk factors associated with lung and how we can manage these, with the help of the best doctor in Jaipur.

Major risk factors:

• Excessive use of tobacco - If we talk about the leading risk factors associated with lung cancer, smoking, without any doubt, tops the list. It accounts for nearly 80% of the deaths caused by lung cancer annually. As per the doctors from the best pulmonology hospital in Jaipur, small cell lung carcinoma is extremely rare in people who have never touched a cigarette or any other tobacco product. Your vulnerability to lung cancer is directly proportional to the packs of cigarettes you smoke every day. It is also important to understand that the habit not only puts your health at a stake but also affects those around you. Second-hand smoking too can increase the risk of developing lung cancer and has been found to be responsible for more than 7000 deaths caused by lung cancer annually.
• Radon exposure - Radon is a radioactive gas that does not have any smell or taste. Although the gas is normally present in the environment in very little amounts, over-exposure to it can prove to be life-threatening. Exposure to radon also happens to be one of the leading causes of lung cancer in many countries.
• Asbestos exposure - Asbestos exposure is more common in people who work in mines, mills, shipyards and other working areas where insulation is required. Studies have shown that smokers who are exposed to asbestos on a daily basis are at a significantly greater risk of developing lung cancer, especially mesothelioma.
• History of Radiation therapy - Lung cancer can also be triggered by radiation therapy to the chest which may be given for some other underlying condition or malignancy that you had in the past. However, studies have shown that women who undergo radiation therapy after lumpectomy (for breast cancer) do not appear to have any elevated risks.
• Air pollution - No doubt the technological spur has proved to be a boon for us, we cannot simply ignore the risk associated with it. One of the most common of these risks is air pollution which is marked by the presence of suspended toxins, dust particles and pollutants in the air. When we breathe this polluted air, the particles enter our lungs and settle down thereby triggering unwanted DNA mutation. Some studies have shown that nearly 5 per cent of the deaths caused by lung cancer are due to outdoor air pollution.
• Family or personal history of the malignancy - It is important to note that lung cancer can reoccur. If you have had the problem in the past, it is possible that it might return even after you have undergone the treatment. This means that you are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer even if you have been treated for it in the past. Also, you are quite likely to develop the malignancy if any of your blood relations or close relatives have the same. This may be due to the same household exposure or shared genes.

If you are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, it is better to see a specialist and get your overall health assessed from time to time. Luckily, thoracoscopy cost in Jaipur is comparatively lower than other places which makes it even easier for the patients to avail quality treatment.