If Your Lungs Could Speak, They’d Tell You To Learn About These Important Facts

Cancer is a term used for a group of diseases which can affect any part of your body and can even result in death (the obvious reality these days). Smoking stands as one of the main reasons for causing cancer, mostly of the lung cancer.

According to the WHO, “Cancer has been the leading cause of deaths worldwide. In 2018, it accounts for 9.6 million deaths.” For very long have we been hearing that smoking is injurious to health, but do we listen? No, we don’t. It’s high time we realise the importance of a healthy body and healthy lungs. We don’t need to breathe them out before the actual time frame.

As we all know, cancer is one of the leading causes of death across the world. Among those, lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than any other type of cancer in both men and women.

November is Lung Cancer awareness month, and we need to acknowledge the fact that, “Lung Cancer is responsible for more deaths than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined.”

The type of cancer that affects our lungs is known as lung cancer. It mostly affects people who are addicted to smoking. It is further divided into many types and non-small cell lung cancer is the most common among those. Small cell lung cancer and bronchial adenoma are other types of lung cancer. All of these have further sub-types.
Both non-small cell and small -cell lung cancer basically have the same symptoms. The early symptoms may include:

• Lingering or worsening cough
• Hoarseness
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing up phlegm or blood
• Worsening Chest pain is caused when you breathe deeply, laugh, or cough more often
• Weakness and fatigue
• Loss of appetite and weight loss

These are the signs that people should be aware of. You may also suffer from respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

Lung Cancer accounts for 27 % of all the cancer deaths and is the leading cause of death by cancer in both men and women.

Lung Cancer can affect anyone, but if we go according to studies and reports, more than 80-85% of cases are the result of smoking.

1. Cigarette Smoking has always been considered the leading cause of lung cancer. Smokers are always at risk of developing lung cancer, 15 to 30 times more than those who don’t smoke.
2. Breathing in the environment filled with second-hand smoke also puts you at the risk of getting lung cancer.
3. High exposure to elements like radon, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and uranium can also put you at risk of developing lung cancer.
4. Today’s world is getting too much affected by pollution. So, our air is also getting impure by the presence of toxic pollutants involving dust and smoke released by the burning of petroleum products. These are also responsible for causing lung cancer.
5. A family history of lung cancer can also put you at risk.
6. If you have had any radiation therapy on your chest in the past, then there may be a slight chance of getting lung cancer.
7. Lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, and high consumption of alcohol can also bring in the danger.

So what are the important steps to be taken?

1. Spreading information and educating people about lung cancer.
2. Donating to the cause and helping the patients around the world fighting for survival.
3. Get regular check-ups for cancer because you don’t really have to be a smoker to develop one.
4. Help the national government, and NGOs and societies working for cancer patients.
5. We also need to strengthen our healthcare systems to deliver cure more securely and early.

Lung Cancer is deathly, we all need to fight it together.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

Novel drug may help tackle treatment-resistant cancers

A new class of drug that has the potential to help cancer patients, especially those suffering from breast cancer and who no longer respond to existing therapies has been discovered.

Breast cancer patients frequently become resistant to existing treatments, leading to the disease becoming fatal.

Early lab-based tests of a drug named ICEC0942 were successful in targeting resistant breast cancers and indicated minimal side effects.

“Treatment-resistant tumours represent a significant threat for patients, as once a cancer stops responding to treatments there is increasingly little clinicians can do,” said a Professor.

“Drugs such as these could help to shift the balance back in favour of the patients, potentially providing a new option to patients for who existing treatments no longer work,” the Prof. added.

The findings, published in the journal, noted that the drug targets an enzyme called CDK7 — involved in directing cells through their life-cycle, which consists of growth, DNA replication and cell division.

CDK7 is also involved in the process of transcription — a vital step in gene expression — the creation of proteins to carry out cell functions.

Particular cancers, such as treatment-resistant breast cancers, have a unique dependence on transcription, meaning targeting CDK7 may be particularly effective.

By inhibiting transcription, ICEC0942 shuts down the ability of the cancer to spread.

In addition, cancers such as acute myeloid leukaemia and small-cell lung cancer are particularly transcription-dependent.

Therefore, ICEC0942 drug may also work well for these too, especially where they have become resistant to other treatments, the researchers suggested.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                      PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   
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Air pollution can lead to lung cancer

Pollution is a slow but steady killer. The toxin levels people are exposed to today will likely shorten people’s life spans by several days or weeks. Air pollution, in particular, is linked to many health conditions, especially lung cancer. 

“According to a recent report, lung cancer constitutes 6.9% of all new cancer cases and 9.3% of all cancer-related deaths in both men and women. It is imperative for each one of us to understand the effects that air pollution have on the lungs and on one’s health and overall well-being,” said a Dr.

Lung cancer or lung carcinoma is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This can spread further by a process known as metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body. 

The two main types of carcinomas are: small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). A majority of lung cancer cases are a result of long-term tobacco smoking. However, about 10% to 15% of non-smokers are also at risk. 

Both SCLC and NSCLC have similar symptoms and include: lingering or worsening cough, coughing up phlegm or blood, chest pain that worsens with coughing or laughing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, wheezing, weakness and fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Some people also experience respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis. When the cancer spreads, the symptoms also vary according to the area affected. 

“Statistics indicate that air pollution is responsible for 3,000 premature deaths in Delhi every year which works out to 8 deaths a day. The effects of air pollution on human health are very complex. This is because there are different sources, and each has a different effect on our health,” he said.

Air pollutants can have serious impacts on the lungs and the respiratory system. They are absorbed into the circulatory system and pumped all around the body. Further, these air pollutants can also get deposited on soil, plants, and in water, increasing the level of human exposure. 

Biological pollutants are mostly allergens that can cause asthma, hay fever, and other allergic diseases. Volatile organic compounds irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. They can lead to headaches, nausea, and loss of coordination in the longer term and are also known to cause damage to the liver and other parts of the body. It is also associated with exacerbating respiratory disorders such as asthma and lowering resistance to common cold. Nitrogen oxide released from industrial and vehicular emissions makes children susceptible to respiratory diseases especially in winters. 

Carbon monoxide can combine with hemoglobin and reduce the oxygen carrying capacity. Further, it is harmful to the brain and cardiovascular system. Smog is a mixture of dust, fumes, mist, and smoke. It is very dangerous to both lungs and the heart. High sulfur dioxide contents can precipitate chronic bronchitis.

The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified outdoor air pollution as a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). This inference was a result of evaluating over 1,000 scientific papers and studies from five continents. Polluted air carries tiny dust-like particles called particulate matter (PM).

This is a combination of extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets that are found in the air, and are the riskiest. The smallest particles called PM2.5 are particularly harmful due to their extremely permeable nature due to which they can easily enter the lung tissue linings. Some sources of PM2.5 include emissions from diesel engines. 

The situation is worse in winter as the formation of smog can make the delivery of pollutants to the end of lung airways even easier. Radon is a radioactive gas that can accumulate inside the house, exposure to which increases the risk of lung cancer. 

Another common source of air pollution is that which occurs indoors. This is the smoke that results from burning coal, more commonly done for cooking in rural areas. Statistics indicate that women exposed to indoor coal smoke have about twice the risk of getting lung cancer. 

About 2.4 billion people globally are susceptible to this risk with indoor air pollution accounting for about 1.5% of deaths due to lung cancer.  In the urban areas, one of the commonest sources is the mosquito coils and even cigarette smoke.

“There are some ways in which air pollution can be reduced and thus, the chances of lung cancer as well. It should start at a personal level with the very first option being to choose active travel wherever possible. This includes walking and cycling. Try and venture out during that part of the day when the pollution levels are at the lowest,” added the Dr.

When it comes to masks, only the more sophisticated ones such as N95 can prevent the tiny particles from entering the lungs. Another way is to try and stay away from areas where the air quality is not very good.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    

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Lung cancer- diagnosis, treatments

Cigarettes are packed with cancer-causing chemicals. They also disarm the lungs' natural defense system. The airways are lined with tiny hairs called cilia. To protect the lungs, they sweep out toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Tobacco smoke stops the cilia from doing their job. This lets the cancer-causing chemicals build up.

 Symptoms

Lung cancer begins quietly. There are usually no symptoms or warning signs in the early stages. As it gets worse, you may notice: Fatigue
A cough that won't go away
Chest pain, especially during deep breaths
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Coughing up bloody phlegm

Spiral CT may pick up early lung cancers in some people, but it's not clear whether it finds them early enough to save lives. Smokers should get scans. If either your x-ray or sputum test suggests that you could have cancer, then biopsy is the next procedure.This is done normally through FNA, where n fine needle is inserted and a small sample of the tumour is taken out to determine if it is cancer or not.

Two Main Types

Small-cell lung cancer is more aggressive, meaning it can spread quickly to other parts of the body early in the disease. It is due to cigarette use and is rare in nonsmokers. Non-small-cell lung cancer grows more slowly and is more common. It's responsible for almost 85% of all lung cancers.

 Small-cell lung cancer is divided into two stages: "Limited" means the cancer is confined to one lung and maybe nearby lymph nodes. "Extensive" means the cancer has spread to the other lung or beyond. Non-small-cell lung cancer is assigned a stage of I through IV, depending on how far it has spread.

 Treatment
When doctors find non-small-cell lung cancer before it spreads beyond one lung, an operation can sometimes help. The surgeon may remove the part of the lung that has the tumor, or if necessary, the entire lung. Some people get radiation or chemotherapy afterward to kill any remaining cancer cells. Surgery usually doesn’t help with small-cell lung cancer because it probably has already spread before diagnosis.
  
In Advanced Lung Cancer
When lung cancer spreads too far to be cured, treatments may still help people live longer and have a better quality of life. Radiation and chemotherapy can shrink tumors and help control symptoms, such as bone pain or blocked airways. Chemotherapy is usually the main treatment for small-cell lung cancer.

Modern Treatments

Targeted therapy plus chemotherapy may help, if other approaches don’t work. One type prevents the growth of new blood vessels that feed cancer cells. Others interrupt the signals that prompt lung cancer cells to multiply, as shown in the image here.
Immunotherapy works with your immune system to fight advanced cases of non-small-cell lung cancer. It doesn’t work for everyone, but when it does, the results look strong. You’d also get chemotherapy.

Quit Smoking- According to studies, it is found that even those who are diagnosed with lung cancer, of they quit smoking, do better than those who don't quit !
Second-hand smoke --- Breathing in secondhand smoke at home or at work also appears to raise your risk. People who are married to someone who smokes are 20% to 30% more likely to get lung cancer than the spouses of nonsmokers.
Dangers of jobs-  People who work with uranium, arsenic, and other chemicals should try to limit their exposure. Asbestos, which was once widely used in insulation, is a known cause of lung cancer. It’s rarely used now, but workers who were exposed years ago are still at risk.
 Radon Gas

This natural radioactive gas is found at higher than normal levels in certain parts of the U.S. The gas can build up inside homes and raise the risk of lung cancer, especially in people who smoke. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. You can’t smell or see it, but you can use a simple test kit to find it.

Other risks of Lung cancer-
A family history of lung cancer
Drinking water that's high in arsenic
Lung cancer does happen to people with no well-known risk factors -- including those who've never smoked. Researchers don't know why. It seems to happen to women more than men. And one type, adenocarcinoma, is more common in nonsmokers than smokers.

 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.

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