LUNG CANCER
SYMPTOMS
Although there are no clear signs in the early stages of lung cancer the following are often developed throughout the condition:
- a persistent cough
- coughing up blood
- constant breathlessness
- fatigue
- weight loss
- ache/pain when breathing/coughing
CAUSES
The biggest cause of lung cancer is smoking. It is known to cause 86% of lung cancer cases, including second hand smoke, passive smoking. Both the length of time you have been smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day have a negative effect on your health. The younger you start smoking, the more threatening it can be, (if you start smoking as a child it is more dangerous than starting as an adult). Quitting smoking will decrease the chance of getting lung cancer. Passive smoking can have an effect on the lungs causing damage.
Smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer however it is the predominant one. There are other factors which affect the chances of lung cancer such as exposure to radon gas and certain chemicals, being immersed in an environment with high air pollution, previously having a lung disease, past cancer treatment, previous cancers that have been smoking related as well as lowered immunity. These other factors do not play such an important role in causing lung cancer as smoking does.
Radon Gas - naturally occurring gas present in uranium found in rocks. The gas can build up inside buildings and homes consequently damaging peoples lungs in small amounts. After smoking radon is one of the greatest causes of lung cancer.
Although there are no clear signs in the early stages of lung cancer the following are often developed throughout the condition:
- a persistent cough
- coughing up blood
- constant breathlessness
- fatigue
- weight loss
- ache/pain when breathing/coughing
CAUSES
The biggest cause of lung cancer is smoking. It is known to cause 86% of lung cancer cases, including second hand smoke, passive smoking. Both the length of time you have been smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day have a negative effect on your health. The younger you start smoking, the more threatening it can be, (if you start smoking as a child it is more dangerous than starting as an adult). Quitting smoking will decrease the chance of getting lung cancer. Passive smoking can have an effect on the lungs causing damage.
Smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer however it is the predominant one. There are other factors which affect the chances of lung cancer such as exposure to radon gas and certain chemicals, being immersed in an environment with high air pollution, previously having a lung disease, past cancer treatment, previous cancers that have been smoking related as well as lowered immunity. These other factors do not play such an important role in causing lung cancer as smoking does.
Radon Gas - naturally occurring gas present in uranium found in rocks. The gas can build up inside buildings and homes consequently damaging peoples lungs in small amounts. After smoking radon is one of the greatest causes of lung cancer.
Biological consequences of lung cancer
Approximately 85% of lung cancers are caused by carcinogens present in tobacco smoke, while worldwide, 15–25% of lung cancer cases occur in life time “never smokers” (less than 100 cigarettes in a lifetime). These etiologic differences are associated with distinct differences in tumor acquired molecular changes and are discussed later in this review9,10. While the general public associates lung cancer with smoking, due to the number of lung cancer cases overall, lung cancer occurring in life time never smokers is also a huge public health problem. Likewise, over 50% of newly diagnosed lung cancers in the USA occur in “former smokers” who changed their lifestyle – but the damage caused by past smoking still led to the development of lung cancer. Thus, it will be important to identify the non-smoking related etiologies of lung cancer arising in “never smokers” as well as methods to identify which former smokers are most likely to develop clinically evident lung cancer.
Scagliotti GV, Longo M, Novello S
Curr Opin Oncol. 2009 Mar; 21(2):99-104.
Scagliotti GV, Longo M, Novello S
Curr Opin Oncol. 2009 Mar; 21(2):99-104.
EMPHYSEMA
SYMPTOMS
The most common symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath. This is due to the structural changes of the lungs most commonly as a consequence of smoking.
- wheezing
- coughing
- chest tightness or pain
- loss of appetite as well as weight loss
- depression
- poor sleeping quality
- decreased sexual function
Similarly to lung cancer, the symptoms are more common and recognisable when in the advanced stages in comparison to the early stages. The symptoms of emphysema are progressive thus meaning they get worse as time increases.
Like lung cancer, emphysema is mainly caused by smoking. In addition to smoking some other causes are smoking marijuana, air pollution and manufacturing fumes. Finally emphysema can be passed on by a deficiency of a protein that protects the elasticity of structures within the lungs, alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency emphysema.
The most common symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath. This is due to the structural changes of the lungs most commonly as a consequence of smoking.
- wheezing
- coughing
- chest tightness or pain
- loss of appetite as well as weight loss
- depression
- poor sleeping quality
- decreased sexual function
Similarly to lung cancer, the symptoms are more common and recognisable when in the advanced stages in comparison to the early stages. The symptoms of emphysema are progressive thus meaning they get worse as time increases.
Like lung cancer, emphysema is mainly caused by smoking. In addition to smoking some other causes are smoking marijuana, air pollution and manufacturing fumes. Finally emphysema can be passed on by a deficiency of a protein that protects the elasticity of structures within the lungs, alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency emphysema.
As we grow older our lungs slowly lose their function. In emphysema the persons lungs function is lost at an accelerated rate.
In smokers who develop emphysema the symptoms are often present from ages 45-60. Scientists and doctors still have a lot to learn about why emphysema appears and within who. It is believed however that genetic factors can play a role, for example genetic factors may cause the symptoms of emphysema to develop faster in some than in others.
Emphysema gradually damages the alveoli in your lungs. Alveoli are air sacs. Emphysema is classed as a COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The alveoli are grouped together in the lungs like a bunch of grapes. When someone has emphysema the inner walls of the alveoli begin to break down and rupture which consequently creates one large air space defeating the purpose of the structure of the alveoli. Protease is released by leukocytes in the lungs which breaks down the tissue. The rupturing of the alveoli walls causes a decrease in the surface area consequently limiting the rate of gas exchange and oxygen passing into the bloodstream, this explains the symptoms such as shortness of breath. Each breath out leaves the air trapped inside of the damaged alveoli meaning there is no fresh oxygen to be breathed in. The breakdown of the alveoli walls affects the surface area limiting the amount of oxygen into the bloodstream causing the shortness of breath and other symptoms.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/basics/definition/con-20014218
www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/lung-cancer/about/lung-cancer-risks-and-causes
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-lung/Pages/Introduction.aspx
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3367865/
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/basics/risk-factors/con-20014218
In smokers who develop emphysema the symptoms are often present from ages 45-60. Scientists and doctors still have a lot to learn about why emphysema appears and within who. It is believed however that genetic factors can play a role, for example genetic factors may cause the symptoms of emphysema to develop faster in some than in others.
Emphysema gradually damages the alveoli in your lungs. Alveoli are air sacs. Emphysema is classed as a COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The alveoli are grouped together in the lungs like a bunch of grapes. When someone has emphysema the inner walls of the alveoli begin to break down and rupture which consequently creates one large air space defeating the purpose of the structure of the alveoli. Protease is released by leukocytes in the lungs which breaks down the tissue. The rupturing of the alveoli walls causes a decrease in the surface area consequently limiting the rate of gas exchange and oxygen passing into the bloodstream, this explains the symptoms such as shortness of breath. Each breath out leaves the air trapped inside of the damaged alveoli meaning there is no fresh oxygen to be breathed in. The breakdown of the alveoli walls affects the surface area limiting the amount of oxygen into the bloodstream causing the shortness of breath and other symptoms.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/basics/definition/con-20014218
www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/lung-cancer/about/lung-cancer-risks-and-causes
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-lung/Pages/Introduction.aspx
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3367865/
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/basics/risk-factors/con-20014218