Lung Cancer: Leading Global Cause of Death and Its Prevalence - Research Paper

Introduction

Lung cancer is among the deadliest diseases and at the same time, the current leading cause of death around the world. Lung cancer is as a condition characterized by the abnormal development of the cells that quickly grow in the lungs (Cattamanchi, 2018). Cancer cells increasingly replicate leading to the development of tumors, hence blocking the airway, damaging the normal lung. Later the lungs functioning deplete (WHO, 2018). In regards to the prevalence of lung cancer, the statistics from WHO (2018) shows that lung cancer is the second world's leading cause of death among men and women from different races. Lung cancer accounted for 9.6 million deaths in 2018, and it is realized that nearly 1 in every 6 deaths is as result of lung cancer. The 70% prevalence of the disease is among the low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2018).

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Lung cancer is caused when an individual is exposed to carcinogenic agents. Nearly one-third of the deaths resulted from cancer are because of the 5 leading dietary and behavioral risks: low vegetables and fruits intake, high body mass index, physical inactivity, tobacco together with the alcoholism (Cooper, Lam, O'Toole, & Minna, 2013). WHO (2018) adds that tobacco use accounts of 22% of cancer deaths. In addition, infections like human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis promote the formation of the cancer cells.

Several tests can be proposed for the diagnosis of lung cancer. The CAT scan and x-ray test investigate the conditions of the lungs; a similar diagnosis establishes the stages of cancer. While Bronchoscope test looks at the bronchial tubes and biopsy the tumor. Then, the doctor can take a small amount of the cell to study them to analyses whether the unusual cells are cancerous (Cattamanchi, 2018). Depending on the result of the test taken the doctor will specify the treatment mode to be used.

The common signs and symptoms associated with lung cancer include hoarseness, persistent and server cough, chest pain, coughing rust-colored sputum or blood, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling weak and tired, wheezing, as well as series of infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. When the lung cancer spreads to several organs such as bone pain (hips and back pains); when it spreads to the liver it causes to jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin); when it spreads to the skin, a lump develops on the skin when cancer spread on the skin areas (Cooper et.al, 2013).

Lung cancer has stages based on the symptoms to show its severity. The first stage, Hidden, or occult, the symptoms are not visible on imaging scans, though the cancerous cells might be seen in the mucus or phlegm and may have arrived at some other parts of the body. In Stage 0, the abnormal cells are present at the top layers of the cells lining airways. Stage I, the tumor developed in the lung, but it is less than 5 centimeters long and it has not dominated the rest of the body parts. Stage II, the tumor is less than 7 centimeters and might have spread to the lymph nodes within the lung. Stage II, the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes and crossed to the other lung and surrounding tissues. Stage IV, cancer has spread to both lungs and the rest body parts like the bones or brain (Cooper et.al, 2013).

Base on the treatment of lung cancer, various prescriptions can arise as per the extent of the condition. Radiation treatment method destroys the cancer cells DNA until when they will stop from spreading, effectively shrinking or killing a tumor. Chemotherapy treatment includes the drug which is injected intravenously inhibit the DNA of the cancer cell, hence restricting them from developing and spreading. Then, Surgery is applied if the cancer cells are realized at their initial stage; it is likely to remove the main tumor together with the rest of the cancerous cells (Cooper et.al, 2013).

Conclusion

To wind up, although Cancer still continues to be one of the deadliest diseases in the world, still, its cure is yet to be invented. Though, if detected at early stages, lung cancer can be effectively treated, and completely terminated. Different researches and testes are still on-going to establish a reliable treatment method to save more lives in the future. More awareness has been created for the general public to familiarize on what life-styles elements that can cause lung cancer.

References

Cattamanchi, A. (2018). Lung cancer: Symptoms, treatment, and early diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323701.php

Cooper, W. A., Lam, D. C., O'Toole, S. A., & Minna, J. D. (2013). Molecular biology of lung cancer. Journal of thoracic disease, 5 (Suppl 5), S479. Retrieved from jtd.amegroups.com/public/system/jtd/lung-cancer.pdf

WHO. (2018). Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer