by
Katrina Welch
Imagine a cough that never goes away; all day and all night you are subjected to experiencing this unpleasant discomfort in your chest. Then, imagine these coughs being compounded with the expulsion of blood or rust-coloured phlegm. Added to that is the gripping chest pain which worsens with every laugh, cough and deep breath, and imagine frequent infections of bronchitis or pneumonia. Imagine a constant hoarseness of your throat, shortness of breath, wheezing, tiredness and sudden weight loss.
Though these symptoms may sound extreme on the surface, they are experienced daily by people who are afflicted with advanced stages of lung cancer. Lung cancer is a fatal condition which affects the respiratory system. It occurs when a cluster of abnormal cell growth forms a tumour within the lungs.
HOW DOES LUNG CANCER OCCUR?
By smoking and second-hand smoke…
Smoking and over-exposure to secondhand smoke are two of the most commonly acknowledged risk factors for the development of lung cancer. In fact, there are studies which suggest that 90 per cent of lung cancer deaths have been caused by this dangerous recreational activity. Therefore, it is no secret that the chemicals in cigarettes are harmful for the body.
The chemical compounds in cigarettes compromise the immune system by making it too weak to fight against developing cancer cells. Furthermore, the chemicals can cause harm or alter the DNA molecules within the cells, causing them to grow beyond control and form a cancerous tumour. However, the chemicals associated with cigarette smoke are not the only means by which lung cancer can be developed.
By air pollution…
Beyond cigarette smoke, other air pollutants such as diesel exhaust contribute to the development of lung cancer. Across the world, five per cent of lung cancer deaths are attributed to this form of pollution, according to researchers.
By radon exposure…
Radon exposure is yet another way in which this fatal disease may develop within the body. In fact, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer among people who are not smokers and accounts for three to 14 per cent of lung cancer cases worldwide.
This naturally occurring element is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that it is released when there is a radioactive breakdown of uranium. It is found in all soils and rocks. Outdoors, it does not pose as great a health threat because it dilutes so quickly that its concentration is generally low.
On the inside, however, or in spaces which are poorly ventilated, radon concentration levels can get dangerously high. When inhaled, the toxin mainly affects the cells which line the body’s airways by altering them and eventually causing the development of lung cancer.
By asbestos exposure…
Like radon, asbestos is another cancercausing agent. It is not uncommon to hear about buildings being closed for the removal of asbestos because although it is toxic in nature, this fibrous mineral is quite useful for insulation due to its heat-resistant properties.
Consequently, it was quite popular in construction in the late 18th century, but when the product is dry it crumbles and becomes the carcinogenic dust.
If asbestos is inhaled regularly over a long period of time or in a very high quantity, it affects the lungs. In most cases, asbestos poses an occupational safety hazard for persons who work in the construction industry, mining, shipbuilding, and other industrial occupations.
Firefighters, military service men and women, and even those who work in the field of the electricity generation, face this occupational carcinogenic risk as well.
By lung metastases…
Metastatic cancer to the lung is the name given to the type of cancer which develops in another part of the body but eventually spreads via the blood stream to the lungs of the infirmed individual. This commonly occurs in persons with cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, and prostate as well as sarcoma. With cases of lung metastases, there is not usually a cure and within a five-year period people succumb to the disease.
LUNG CANCER FACT SHEET
• According to the World Health Organisation:
• Approximately ten million people died in 2020, due to some form of cancer.
• Globally, there were 2.21 million cases of lung cancer in 2020.
• Last year, lung cancer accounted for the most cancer-related deaths worldwide, 1.8 million deaths.
• In high income countries, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death.
• Lung cancer is the fourth most prevalent type of cancer in Barbados.
• In 2020, there were 1151 new cancer diagnoses in Barbados.
• Of these new cases, 5.6% were new lung cancer diagnoses.
• There were more males diagnosed with lung cancer than females; 38 males and 27 females.
• 743 cancer-related deaths were recorded in Barbados last year.
• 6.6% of these deaths were attributed to lung cancer.
