Cancer, What you need to know.

Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women. Each year there will be about 178,000 new cases of lung cancer in the United States. That is about 13% of all new cancers. More than 160,000 people will die of lung cancer. Smoking is by far the leading cause of lung cancer. Up to 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. At the beginning of this century lung cancer among women was quite rare. With the increasing use of cigarettes by women, the frequency of lung cancer has increased among women until it is now the leading cause of cancer deaths, even exceeding the deaths caused by breast cancer. Clearly the best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke. Young people should not start smoking and those who already smoke should quit. Everyone, especially babies and children, should avoid breathing in other peoples smoke.

Symptoms
In the earliest stages, lung cancer causes little or no symptoms or discomfort. As it enlarges, however, it may cause any of the following symptoms: Persistent cough, repeated or persistent bronchitis or pneumonia, hoarseness, blood in the sputum, persistent chest and/or shoulder pain, persistent and progressive shortness of breath.

Diagnosis
A physician may suspect lung cancer based on the symptoms and findings on physical examination and/or a chest x-ray. A CAT scan of the chest may also be utilized. To make a definite diagnosis, some type of biopsy is necessary. This may require a procedure known as bronchoscopy in which a flexible fiberoptic tube is inserted through the nose or mouth into the windpipe to visualize the bronchial structures and to obtain samples. Alternatively, a needle can be inserted between the ribs and directly into the tumor to obtain a sample utilizing a CAT scan or sonogram to guide the needle. Without a proper biopsy, appropriate treatment cannot be started.