The National Cancer Institute revealed the latest statistics at the end of 2022 that “more than 40 Thais die from lung cancer every day,” which is a concerning figure. Lung cancer patients in Thailand are also being found at younger ages. Therefore, none of us should be complacent because even if the body appears healthy with no risk or warning signs, everyone still has a chance of developing lung cancer, even at a young age.
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
When talking about lung cancer, many people may think it only comes from smoking. However, there are actually many other factors that cannot be overlooked.
- Smoking contains nicotine and many toxins that are considered the most important precursors to lung cancer because the toxins in cigarettes enter the body and reach the lungs directly. They accumulate over the years and the amount smoked, causing long-term harm to the body. Even non-smokers who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke from close contacts have an equally high risk.
- E-cigarettes, although users receive fewer substances than regular cigarettes, still contain carcinogens such as nicotine and nitrosamines.
- Exposure to chemicals such as asbestos, which is often found in the textile industry, mining, and construction. Frequent inhalation increases the risk of lung cancer.
- Dust and smoke, with the closest dust to us being PM2.5, which is fine particulate matter that, when inhaled, accumulates in the lungs and causes inflammation.
- Other factors such as increasing age, genetics, and having a family history of lung cancer.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Most early-stage lung cancer cases do not show symptoms. When symptoms begin to appear, it means the cancer is already in an advanced stage. Common symptoms include chronic cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain or tightness, hoarseness, easy fatigue, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer diagnosis can be divided into two groups: those with clear or suspicious symptoms and those without symptoms. People aged 55 and older, even without symptoms but with a history of heavy smoking, are considered at risk and should undergo lung cancer screening with a low-dose computed tomography (Low Dose CT Scan). This provides a 3D image of the lungs that can detect cancer at an early stage with greater detail and clarity than a regular chest X-ray, which may not detect cancer if symptoms are minimal.
Types and Stages of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is divided into two types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, with different staging as follows:
- Small cell lung cancer has 2 stages:
- Stage 1: Cancer cells have not spread and are found in one lung or nearby organs.
- Stage 2: Cancer cells have spread and begun to metastasize to other organs in the body.
- Non-small cell lung cancer has 4 stages:
- Stage 1: The tumor is less than 5 cm in size and usually shows few symptoms.
- Stage 2: Cancer cells have spread within the lung or lymph nodes and may be larger than 5 cm.
- Stage 3: Cancer cells have spread to nearby organs, and the tumor size has increased.
- Stage 4: Cancer cells have spread to distant parts such as bones, liver, or brain.
Treatment of Lung Cancer
Treatment of lung cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. Doctors will diagnose and plan treatment individually. Generally, there are three main treatment methods:
- Surgery is used for early-stage cancer that has not spread or has spread minimally. Surgery removes the tumor and nearby tissues.
- Chemotherapy involves administering drugs that destroy cancer cells and relieve pain before surgery, usually through intravenous injection.
- Radiation therapy uses high-intensity light directed at the cancer cells. It is used for patients who cannot undergo surgery and those with localized advanced cancer. This method is not suitable for patients whose cancer has spread to other organs.
Many types of cancer, if detected early or at a precancerous stage, have a relatively high chance of being cured. Importantly, none of us should be careless. If we take care of our health, we should undergo cancer screening when at risk, whether due to behavior, genetics, or increasing age. Screening can reduce the risk of disease, enable timely detection and treatment, and provide more treatment options.
