Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women each year in the United States. An estimated 197,000 people living in the U.S. are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. Despite that fact, lung cancer receives on average three times less federal research funding per death than other well-known cancers. While smoking increases your lung cancer risk, many people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.
What is Lung Cancer?
Normal cells grow, divide and die as the human body needs them. Cancer cells act differently from normal cells because of damage or a change in the cells’ DNA, the genes that tell cells what to do. Cancer cells grow at an accelerated rate but do not die. Instead, they continue to grow and form a group of abnormal cells called a tumor.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms linked to lung cancer include:
- A cough that won’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Chest, back or shoulder pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Being tired
- Weight loss
If you or someone you know has symptoms or may be at risk for lung cancer, talk with your health care provider about your concerns and to determine whether you are a good candidate for lung cancer screening.
There are a number of ways to help prevent lung cancer:
- Quit or do not ever start using tobacco: If you smoke or use tobacco in any form, quit. As soon as you quit, your body begins to repair the damage done by smoking.
- Avoid secondhand smoke: Make your home and car smoke-free. Encourage family, friends and co-workers to quit smoking.
- Test your home for radon: Simple, inexpensive test kits are available at most home improvement stores.
Lung Cancer Webinars
Saving Lives with Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer and the third most common cancer in both men and women. Early detection of lung cancer can make treatment more successful and save lives. Experts recommend certain current and former smokers — people who are most at risk for developing lung cancer — get screened.
Dr. Karriem Watson of UI Health and UIC and Linda Dowling of Rush University Medical Center joined us to discuss the importance of lung cancer screening, updates to lung cancer screening guidelines, and community engagement strategies to address disparities in screening.