Awareness Saves Lives Lung cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in the lungs. Like other cancers, as the disease develops, tumors are formed. As the disease progresses, it has the potential to spread to other regions of the body. Lung cancer is an umbrella term referring to several different cancers in the lung, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLCs start in lung tissue. It is comprised of three specific diseases: adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas. SCLCs are a rarer form, originating in the bronchi. They are similar in symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors. SCLCs tend to be more aggressive than NSCLCs. When cancer is more “aggressive”, it means that the growth of the cancer cells is more rapid. Rapid progression of cancer means that tumors grow faster and spread to other parts of the body more quickly, meaning the time window for “effective” treatment is smaller and the prognosis is poorer than non-aggressive cancers. Getting a Diagnosis Anyone can get lung cancer. This is no population of people that have absolute immunity from the disease. That being said, certain groups of people are more likely to contract lung cancer than others. [youmaylike] Generally, lung cancer is found in older people over the age of 65. Some lifestyle choices, such as smoking tobacco, can increase the risk of getting a diagnosis. Remember, just are there are no populations that are immune to developing cancer, but there are plenty of “at-risk” individuals who will never develop it. This does not mean you should ignore warnings over certain activities, such as smoking, just because you can think of someone who was an exception to the rule. Early Signs of Lung Cancer When it comes to cancer, one of the most important things you can do is get an early diagnosis. Early detection will put you in a better position in terms of treatment. Catching the disease before it gets the chance to travel to other parts of the body will make it easier to treat. If it does not spread, physicians can concentrate treatment techniques on specific areas, which can drastically increase your chances of beating it. The main problem that makes cancer so deadly is that you often do not notice until it is too late. Oftentimes, the early signs of disease are easy to overlook. Unfortunately, lung cancer normally does not cause any noticeable symptoms until later on. If you are demographically vulnerable to developing lung cancer, consider paying special attention to these early warning signs: Chronic cough, with no apparent cause. Coughing up blood; you may notice spotting on tissues. Chest, back, or shoulder pain, especially when you take deep breaths or laugh. Inappropriate shortness of breath, which may happen when doing non-strenuous, daily activities that should not cause any breathing problems. Weight and appetite loss, with no apparent cause. Fatigue or feelings of weakness with no known cause. Hoarseness, or having a raspy voice, can be a sign of respiratory problems. Wheezing, even during regular breathing. Chronic bronchitis or pneumonia. Any persistent respiratory infection should be brought to the attention of your physician. As lung cancer advances, the severity of symptoms will worsen for most patients. Advanced Symptoms of Lung Cancer In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, other signs of cancer may manifest after the disease has had time to progress. These symptoms will arise in response to the fact that the disease has entered other parts of the body. How you experience these symptoms will depend heavily on where the cancer spreads to. Bone pain: Can occur anywhere in the body but likely in the hip or the back. Jaundice: The yellowing of skin and eyes is a sign the liver has been disrupted by something. Disturbances to the nervous system: When cancer spreads to the brain, it can cause many different symptoms. These symptoms can include things such as persistent headaches, fatigue, numbness, lightheadedness, seizures, and sudden problems with balancing. When to See a Doctor You should always discuss any major changes in your bodily functions with your doctor. It is impossible to know whether or not something is cancerous until you undergo a medical examination. More than likely, these symptoms are not cancer. This does not mean that you should ignore them. Even if a collection of symptoms is not cancer, it can be a sign of another medical condition. As early intervention is essential for dealing with any cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice these problems when they become persistent and occur with no explanation.
Chemo Side Effects
Chemotherapy is a treatment used to kill rapidly growing cells in your body, and chemo side effects can occur. The cells in our body have a "self-destruct" mechanism, but sometimes they can lose this ability and continue to grow into what is known as a tumor. These tumors then compete with healthy cells for nutrients and oxygen, thereby destroying the body.
The downside of chemotherapy is that it does not distinguish between fast-growing cells of the body and tumor cells. This lack of distinction between these cells results in the common side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Some rapidly growing cells in the body include cells in the inner lining of the mouth, nails, hair, and even blood cells. These areas are often affected during the treatment process.
Why Would You Undergo Chemotherapy?
Aside from using chemotherapy as the only treatment option to kill cancer cells, it is also used:
- As an adjuvant treatment to kill cancer cells after surgery may have been done.
- To shrink the size of tumors to enable surgery or radiation to eliminate the rest. This is referred to as neoadjuvant treatment.
- It can also be used as a palliative measure to relieve you of the symptoms associated with cancer.
Chemotherapy Treatment
Chemotherapy treatment can be in the form of pills, creams, and injections, administered within the hospital or at home by an oncologist. It is advisable to have a family member drive you when you receive your first course because some people have reported feeling drowsy after receiving treatment.
During the treatment, you will be closely monitored through tests to know the effectiveness of the chemotherapy, and so the doctor can adjust it according to how you respond to it.
Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Due to the presence of rapidly dividing cells around the body and chemotherapy’s inability to separate them, the side effects affect multiple organs in the body. The most affected systems include the mouth, bone marrow, digestive tract, hair, and reproductive organs.
Chemotherapy reduces cells that provide immunity and protect you from infections. They also affect the red blood cells, which transport oxygen around your body, and the platelets, which stop you from bleeding out by forming a clot. All these manifest as:
- Body weakness
- Easy bruising
- Pale skin
- Getting sick more frequently
- Blood in stools and vomit
You may also experience side-effects in the mouth and digestive systems. For the mouth, these include reduced saliva production, painful sores in the mouth, on the lips, tongue, and gums, which make eating and swallowing difficult. The loss of healthy cells in your mouth will also cause altered taste sensations and a yellowish covering on the tongue, ultimately leading to weight loss. For the digestive systems, common side-effects include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. All of these can lead to weight loss and weakness.
Chemotherapy also affects the reproductive system and causes alterations in the hormonal levels of both men and women. Infertility can occur in both men and women from chemotherapy treatment, which could be temporary or permanent. Women experience altered periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, an increased risk of vaginal infections, and early onset of menopause. Men experience reduced sperm count and libido.
Although individuals on chemotherapy treatment experience various symptoms, it does not hinder them from having healthy sex lives. Pregnancy is, however, discouraged in females because the toxicity of the medications could cause congenital disabilities.
The changes to your hair, nails, and skin often cause the most visible symptoms. These include hair loss or Alopecia from the head, eyebrows, lashes, hands, and legs. Thankfully, this effect is reversible after the last dose of chemotherapy. There could also be skin irritation, dryness, and rashes, as well as discoloration and brittleness of the nails.
Other side-effects of chemotherapy medications include swelling or tingling sensation in the limbs, reduced urination, generalized body pain, and weakness.
How To Manage the Side Effects
Preparation is essential, and this includes detailed instructions on the type of medications and dosages you’ll have. You’ll receive several tests on your liver, lung, heart, kidneys, and other organs to ensure that you are healthy enough to begin chemotherapy. Your dentist will also examine your teeth to ensure there are no active infections that could cause complications during the treatment.
Also, make sure to discuss possible side-effects ahead of time with your doctor so you can plan for them. Planning could include:
- Preserving your eggs or sperms in case of infertility.
- Having a head wrap or wig for hair loss.
- Avoiding stressful activities and exposure to germs
- Drinking lots of water to help relieve the digestion problems
- Maintaining good oral and general body hygiene to prevent infections
- Eating healthy meals including fruits and vegetables
- Your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medication to prevent vomiting