Lung cancer is a form of cancer that occurs when the cells of the lungs begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. The cells are also capable of spreading to other areas of the body. Some of the symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath, a cough, pain, and fluid in the chest.
Lung Cancer in the Philippines
The most common types of lung cancer are adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They can occur in both men and women. However, in the statistics of lung cancer in the Philippines show that the disease is the cause of death among 90 Filipinos every day.
Several treatment options are available to patients diagnosed with lung cancer in the Philippines. These treatments can help to reduce symptoms, such as shortness of breath and pain. Patients can receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is typically given intravenously and can kill rapidly growing cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to target the tumor. While radiation therapy is used to relieve the symptoms of lung cancer, it does not cure the disease.
If a person is diagnosed with lung cancer, they must consult a specialist. A doctor may perform a biopsy to determine what kind of cancer the person has. Biopsies can be performed in several different ways. One way is by inserting a needle through the skin and removing a small piece of tissue. Another way is by inserting a camera into the patient’s breathing tube.
Smoking is the leading risk factor for this disease. Most of these cancers are advanced. Consequently, their survival rates are low. Currently, the five-year survival rate is about 15{a1b23ee91166fb8190bf58ca0c7b9d0fe28d91f399cedfb73db71bac4a8f9628}. But this percentage is expected to increase with new advances in treating this disease.
Spreading Awareness about Lung Cancer
Learning about this type of cancer is vital for everyone, especially those who are suffering from nicotine addiction. For more information about lung cancer and how it affects the body of an individual, read the infographic below from Hope from Within:
