Lung cancer is a disease that can strike anybody at any time. Breathing is something that everybody requires for survival and is often taken for granted. Seldom do you think of the quality of the air that is filtering into your lungs while breathing, however, it is that very thing that causes the most damage? While there are two commonly diagnosed types of lung cancer, they are both equally devastating. Death due to lung cancer far outweighs those caused through other types of cancer like breast or prostate cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2014 that 215,951 deaths had been attributed to lung cancer alone in that year. A further 45,221 deaths were attributed to other forms of cancer which had started in the lungs. The greatest biggest threat where lung cancer is concerned is that symptoms often only appear when cancer has reached an advanced stage.
1. Chest Infections
Infections of the chest are common symptoms of lung cancer. The repeated instances of bronchitis and pneumonia are a cause for concern. Unfortunately, in the early stages when these symptoms may be encountered, they are often passed off as nothing more than a random chest infection. It may only be after suffering the infection a number of times that something is awry and by this time, the cancer is already in the advanced stages. The cancer cells attach themselves to the lining of your lungs causing disease and scarring of the tissue.
It is especially important to protect yourself when working in areas where the air is contaminated. Industries where asbestos and silica is prevalent in the air open you up to severe infections, silicosis, and lung cancer. Cancerous cells weaken the lung tissue, making the lungs more susceptible to infections. While the body tries to fight off the foreign cells, your immunity is low and infection can be expected.
