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.
What Are Childhood Cancer Symptoms?
Cancer in children is slowly becoming one of the most common causes of illness. Donations to cancer charities and research groups helps fund invaluable work in discovering new treatments and cures.
According to the World Health Organization, about 400,000 children between 0 to 19 years of age receive a cancer diagnosis each year around the world. Those who live in high-income countries have an 80% chance of survival. In contrast, those who live in middle- or low-income countries have an estimated 15–45% chance. These survival rates reflect access to cancer screenings and prompt treatments. The sooner cancer is diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment.
High-income countries have access to all the necessary tools and medication to begin treatment plans, but those in the middle- or low-income countries do not. Nevertheless, even for those in the latter group, one factor that significantly improves their survival chances is whether the cancer symptoms are caught in their early stages.
Recognizing childhood cancer symptoms is essential when it comes to fighting back against cancer. In this article, we’ll go over common symptoms to look for, and how to seek proper treatment.
Understanding Childhood Cancer Symptoms
Before we begin, understand that there’s no standard list of symptoms for all types of cancer. Different types of cancer have different symptoms, and these symptoms will also vary between patients. However, there are some common symptoms the body exhibits initially that you can look for.
The most common types of cancer in children include brain cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, Wilms tumor, and neuroblastoma. These all affect different parts of the body. For each of these types of cancers, the symptoms listed below are the most common:
- A strange bump, unusual lump, or sudden swelling in any part of the body
- Sudden paleness and loss of energy
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Sudden ongoing pain in one section of the body
- An unexpected fever or unexplained illness that won’t go away
- Frequent terrible headaches often accompanied with vomiting
- Unexplained bouts of vomiting
- Feeling tired all the time
- Back or joint (bone) pain that won’t go away
- Sudden vision or eye changes
- Trouble urinating, or blood in their urine
- Unexpected weight changes or weight loss
Keep in mind that these symptoms are very common and similar to that of other diseases or basic illnesses. But, for a child, any or all of these symptoms are concerning. Take your child to the doctor if any of these symptoms are present.
What Happens Next
While hospitals do offer cancer screenings, there are, unfortunately, no recommended screening tests for children.
In that case, the right choice would be to go to your child’s pediatrician and get a consult. After they’ve performed a comprehensive medical exam, proper checkup, and received the results from your child’s blood work, they will be able to tell further what your child is suffering from.
But if your pediatrician does not find a solution, they may ask for further consultation with a specialist. It’s also your right to ask for a second or third opinion, so getting a specialist would be a good choice.
Keep in mind that if you suspect cancer, there is a chance that you may be at risk as well. Some specific types of cancers run in families through genes, so you or your child’s other parent may be at risk. However, unless you’ve never had a medical consult, this is highly unlikely.
What Causes Cancer in Children?
Unfortunately, when it comes to detecting the cause of childhood cancer, there is no known cause. Some studies that have tried to identify the source have concluded that lifestyle or environmental factors may be to blame.
In addition, chronic infections, especially if some experience it in their childhood, such as Epstein-Barr virus, malaria, and HIV, can also increase the child’s chances of developing cancer.
As stated above, genetics play a significant factor as well. Further research is needed to determine which types of cancer would have a greater chance of getting carried on through the gene,
Closing Thoughts
Knowing that a child has cancer is a terrible thought that no parent—or child—should go through. For those who may suspect the worst, your best chance at getting a favorable outcome is to have cancer diagnosed early.
Be aware of cancer symptoms and be quick if you detect any such problems in your child’s health. An early diagnosis and timely treatment can make the difference between a healthy life and needless suffering.