Lung cancer affects thousands of people each year. Although smoking remains the primary cause of the disease, it can also be caused by asbestos poisoning. This is the main cause of mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer that is difficult to cure but can be treated.
If you suspect you have a condition of the lungs, you need to visit your medical professional for tests. Your medical professional will send you for an x-ray or a CT scan to determine the nature of your lung condition. When you have the results, your treatment can begin.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide in the lungs and tumor starts to form. This condition can be caused by cigarette smoking, radiation, or exposure to harmful gases and toxins like asbestos. Lung cancer is a serious condition that can be fatal.
The symptoms of lung cancer include a cough, breathlessness, and weight loss. You will have to undergo tests to find out if you have the condition, and treatment options vary depending on the type of lung cancer. In general, treatment is chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
What Should I Know?
Lung cancer affects thousands of people every year. In the US alone, there are around 250 000 cases of the disease annually. Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer behind breast cancer, and around 160,000 people die from it every year.
The good news is that lung cancer treatments are becoming better and more successful. Targeted therapies, such as comprehensive genomic tumour testing, have saved lives, as have CT scans. However, always discuss all the options with your doctor before treatment.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of some of the body’s organs. Usually, mesothelioma affects the stomach and lungs, and it is linked to asbestos contamination. Around three thousand people are diagnosed with this condition each year, but it isn’t easy to cure.
Mesothelioma is not easy to cure, but treatments are available to reduce the symptoms. People who have mesothelioma might experience chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, a high temperature, or a persistent cough. It’s diagnosed with an x-ray or a CT scan.
How Does This Affect me?
Mesothelioma is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos which has been banned from construction practices now for decades. If you contract Mesothelioma, you will experience many symptoms relating to breathing difficulties and lung discomfort. A doctor can diagnose you.
If you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you will have to undergo treatment for the symptoms. This treatment typically includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery. You may also have some treatment for individual symptoms using pain killers or fluid draining.
If left untreated, lung cancer is a fatal disease, so it makes sense to investigate any lung issues that come up. If you have some shortness of breath or lung pain and you smoke or work with asbestos, contact your medical professional for a consultation and testing before treatment. It’s also a good idea to contact an asbestos attorney.