Who Gets Lung Cancer? How Common Is It?

Overview

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer and the main cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer accounts for 5.9 per cent of all cancers in India and is responsible for 8.1% of all cancer-related fatalities. No one knows when lung cancer will develop, but recognizing the risk factors for the condition may help you take preventive measures to lower your chances of acquiring the disease. In this blog, we are going to discuss the risk factors, who are prone to lung cancer, and other details.

What causes lung cancer?

As per the pulmonologists, continuous direct exposure to tobacco is the leading cause of lung cancer.

According to estimates, smoking is responsible for around 80% of lung cancer fatalities.

However, not everyone with lung cancer smokes, and lung cancer can be caused by a variety of other causes, including:

• Chemical exposure, such as radon, diesel exhaust, or asbestos
• Air pollution, for example, is an example of an environmental factor.
• genetic alterations that are inherited or acquired
• Secondhand smoke exposure

Also, Read - Lung Carcinoid Tumor Vs Common Lung Cancer

Who gets lung cancer? What are the risk factors associated with lung cancer?

A risk factor is something that enhances a person's likelihood of getting an illness such as cancer. The risk factors for various malignancies can vary. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be modified. Others, such as a person's age or family history, are unchangeable.

Like every other cancer, several risk factors might increase your chances of developing lung cancer. These variables are linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in general.

Risk factors that you can change-

• Smoking- Persons who smoke have a far higher chance of developing lung cancer than people who do not smoke. The longer you smoke and the more packs you smoke every day, the higher your risk.

Cigar and pipe smoking are almost as probable as cigarette smoking to cause lung cancer. Smoking low-tar or "light" cigarettes raises the risk of lung cancer just as much as smoking normal cigarettes.

Menthol cigarettes may raise the risk even further since menthol allows users to inhale more deeply.

• Exposure to arsenic- studies have shown that increased levels of arsenic in drinking water can increase the risk of developing lung cancer by several folds.

• Exposure to indirect smoking- If you don't smoke, breathing in other people's smoke (also known as secondhand smoke) can raise your chance of acquiring lung cancer.

Each year, it is estimated that secondhand smoking causes a significant number of deaths from lung cancer.

• Exposure to asbestos-People who work with asbestos is many times more likely to get lung cancer.

Workers who smoke and are exposed to asbestos have a considerably higher chance of developing lung cancer. It's unclear how much low-level or short-term asbestos exposure raises the risk of lung cancer.

• Radioactive substances- exposure to naturally occurring radioactive substances like radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in people who don’t smoke.

• Over intake of dietary supplements- studies have shown smokers who used beta carotene supplements had an elevated risk of lung cancer.

• Other factors- Other carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) discovered in some workplaces that might enhance the risk of lung cancer include:

-Uranium and other radioactive ores

-Arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, silica, vinyl chloride, nickel compounds, chromium compounds, coal products, mustard gas, and chloromethyl ethers are all inhaled chemicals.

-Emissions from diesel engines

Also, Read - Lung cancer: what, why, how's of the treatment

Understanding the statistics: how common is lung cancer?

Lung cancer primarily affects the elderly. The majority of those diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; just a tiny minority of people diagnosed are under 45. When diagnosed, the typical age is around 70.

Lung cancer is by far the greatest cause of cancer death, accounting for over 25% of all cancer fatalities. Lung cancer kills more people each year than colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined.

Why should you consider getting lung cancer treatment in India?

India is the most favoured place for cancer treatment operations for a few major reasons.

• India's cutting-edge techniques,
• NABH accredited hospitals
• Assured quality care
• medical skills, and
• lung cancer treatment costs in India are among the best in the world, as our patients need affordable and quality outcomes.

All these have significantly increased the success rate of cancer treatments in India.

By simply packing their medical journey to India, lung cancer treatment can substantially benefit the patient. We also offer a comprehensive range of counselling for coping with changes to our national and international patients as well.

How can we help in the treatment?

If you are in search of a lung cancer treatment hospital in India, we will serve as your guide throughout your treatment and will be physically present with you even before your treatment begins. The following will be provided to you:

• Opinions of expert physicians and surgeons
• Transparent communication
• Coordinated care
• Prior appointment with specialists
• Assistance in hospital formalities
• 24*7 availability
• Arrangement for travel
• Assistance for accommodation and healthy recovery
• Assistance in emergencies

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality health care to our patients. We have a team of highly qualified and devoted health professionals that will be by your side from the beginning of your journey.