What should I know and do for early cancer diagnosis? Lung cancer

Although cancer is among life’s most worrying situations, it is a group of diseases that can be completely treated when detected early. Even people knowing little about it agree on early diagnosis’s importance and encouraging results.

Alongside treatment advances, even stronger research efforts focus on early diagnosis. I hope that screening will detect and allow treatment of many cancers at their earliest stages in the future.

Today we answer: “What should I know and do for early lung cancer diagnosis?”, concerning the world’s most common cancer.

I should know lung cancer risk factors!

Smoking; is among the most carcinogenic exposures known to increase lung cancer risk. Harmful tobacco substances damage lung cells and may eventually cause cancer. Smokers have a 25-40-fold higher risk than nonsmokers. In passive smokers exposed to others’ smoke, this risk is stated as %3.

Risk depends on starting age, smoking duration, daily cigarette count and inhalation depth. Quitting substantially reduces lung cancer risk.

Cigars and pipes; users have greater lung cancer risk than nonusers. Years of use, daily amounts and inhalation depth affect risk. Even without inhaling, users risk lung and other mouth cancers. Passive smoke exposure also increases lung cancer risk.

Asbestos; is a naturally fibrous mineral group used for insulation in some industries. Fibers break into particles, circulate in air and adhere to clothing. Inhaled particles lodge in lungs, damaging cells and increasing cancer risk. Studies show exposed workers have 3–4 times the risk of unexposed workers, particularly in shipbuilding, asbestos mining, insulation and brake repair. Smoking increases their risk further. Workers must use employer-provided protection and follow occupational safety advice.

Radon gas; is odorless and radioactive. Uranium in soil, especially uranium-rich regions, converts to radon, entering household air from the ground and contributing through inhalation to lung cancer. Levels vary by country and region.

Air pollution; has been associated with lung cancer, but the relationship is not clearly defined and requires further research.

Lung diseases; such as tuberculosis increase risk; lung cancer tends to develop more often in previously affected areas.

Previous lung cancer; increases the risk of a second lung cancer compared with never having cancer. Quitting after diagnosis may prevent a second cancer.

Heredity and gene mutations (changes in cellular DNA sequences); The role of genomic changes is now known. Particularly associated genes include EGFR, KRAS, MET, LKB1 BRAF, PIK3CA, ALK, RET and ROS1. Mutations also influence targeted treatment selection.

I should know lung cancer symptoms

Symptoms vary with location, spread and tumor size and may take years to appear. In %25 of patients, cancer causes no symptoms and is generally recognized only after reaching an advanced stage.

Outside this %25, cancer affects the chest and airways, producing symptoms according to location.

• A persistent cough worsening over time
• Persistent chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Frequent persistent pneumonia or bronchitis
• Swelling of the neck and face
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• Fatigue

What should I do for early diagnosis if at high risk or symptomatic?

These symptoms may arise from lung cancer or less serious conditions. High-risk people or those with symptoms should consult a physician. To identify causes, your doctor asks about previous diseases, tobacco use, environmental and occupational exposures and family cancer history. Imaging such as X-rays, CT and bronchoscopy, viewing the lungs through a lighted tube, and blood or sputum tests may be requested. Suspected lung cancer may require tissue examination to establish the type, non-small-cell or small-cell, and spread or stage. Cancer may advance locally or metastasize elsewhere, including lymph nodes, bones and brain. A lung tissue sample is therefore obtained by biopsy and examined microscopically to identify cancer and its type.

Biopsying suspected cancerous lung tissue does not cause tumor spread or worsening disease.

Early lung cancer diagnosis is possible!

Because lung cancer develops through smoking or other tobacco use in %90 of cases, particularly those starting young, smoking for many years or consuming many cigarettes daily should have regular medical checks. Anyone smoking a pack daily for 30 years and reaching age 55 must be screened using low-dose contrast-enhanced lung CT for early diagnosis.

Screening recommendations for early lung cancer diagnosis

Recommended age range: People smoking 1 pack daily for at least 30 years or 2 packs daily for at least 15 years (=30 pack/years), aged 55-74.

Recommended tests: Low-dose contrast-enhanced lung computed tomography; no other imaging method is recommended for early lung cancer diagnosis.

Testing frequency: Ask your doctor about potential screening benefits and harms. A normal result must not be interpreted as smoking causing no harm.

Keywords: early cancer diagnosis, lung cancer, low-dose lung CT, smoking, radon, asbestos, passive smoking, cancer symptoms, cigars, pipes, air pollution, genetic tests, screening tests