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What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is a tumor or mass that forms in the lungs, most often beginning in the bronchi (or windpipe). Lung cancer often takes years to develop because pre-cancerous cells are not visible on x-rays, and they do not cause symptoms. As time passes, these cells may begin to produce chemicals that cause new blood vessels to form nearby. These blood vessels nourish the cells until they forma mass or tumor large enough to show up on x-rays.
There are two main types of lung cancer, requiring different types of treatment:
Who can get lung cancer?
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men (after prostate cancer) and women (after breast cancer). In 2005 (the most recent year for which statistics are currently available), lung cancer accounted for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While anyone can develop lung cancer, smokers are at greater risk for the disease than nonsmokers. In fact, 9 out of 10 diagnosed cases of lung cancer are a result of smoking.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, more people die each year from lung cancer than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.
What causes lung cancer?
There are a number of risk factors for developing lung cancer, including:
- tobacco use (or exposure to second hand smoke)
- vitamin A deficiency
- air pollution
- asbestos
- arsenic
- exposure to radon and other radioactive gases, and
- personal and family history.
Learn more about symptoms, treatment options and reducing your risk for lung cancer.
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