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.
Latex Allergy Symptoms to Be Aware Of
A latex allergy refers to your immune system’s reaction to some substances found in natural rubber. These proteins are retained during the production of latex products which can then trigger allergies. There are several ways in which you could get exposed to products made from latex, and these are:
- Skin contact from latex gloves
- By inhaling the powder — most sterile gloves are coated with corn starch powder which is displaced into the air on opening the gloves
- Some medical instruments contain rubber, and when they come in contact with blood, they can trigger an allergic reaction
- By contact with the mucous membranes lining the eyes, mouth, vagina, and rectum
Although a latex allergy is more common among health workers because of their frequent use of latex products, others at risk of developing the allergy include:
- Individuals who use condoms, urinary catheters, or work with rubber frequently
- People who are allergic to food, such as bananas, pineapples, tomatoes, potatoes, and apples
- People with bone marrow defects
- Those with several other allergies and asthma
Allergic reactions to latex do not manifest the same way for everyone and, based on this, they can be classified into two groups:
Contact Dermatitis
This can either be irritant or allergic. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs as a result of prolonged and continuous exposure to the constituents of latex materials. This type is mild and typically starts at about 12 hours after contact. It is characterized by itching, tingling sensations, and scaling of the affected area.
Allergic contact dermatitis, however, is severe and delayed. The reaction is from substances used in processing latex and can be about 24 hours after contact. It affects more areas of the body and takes a longer time to subside.
Hypersensitivity to Latex
This type of allergy is the most severe form. Although it is not common, when it occurs, it can be life-threatening. It can present as allergic rhinitis with malaise, fever, cramps, and itching. There could also be systemic conditions such as chest tightening, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and an increased heart rate. This type of allergic response requires an urgent visit to the emergency room.
Symptoms of a Latex Allergy
Latex allergy symptoms can vary and depend on how much of the allergen you came in contact with and how your body responds to them. They could be mild, moderate, or life-threatening. Some of the symptoms include itching, small bumps all over the skin with some redness, and pain.
Systemic allergic reactions can appear as:
- Rashes and swelling in parts of your body that didn’t make contact with latex products
- Redness of the face
- Nasal congestion
- Teary eyes
In some uncommon instances, anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction, could occur. This manifests as:
- Oral, nasal, or facial swelling and pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
How to Get Diagnosed
Most cases that present in the clinic are diagnosed based on their symptoms and history of contact with allergens, including latex. In people who do not have symptoms but are concerned that they may have latex allergies, a skin test can be done. Your skin test could be a:
- Scratch test — the latex allergen is applied on your skin’s outer surface and is scratched to get it absorbed
- Intradermal test — a tiny portion of allergen is injected just beneath your skin
- Patch test — this requires sticking a patch containing the allergen on your arm for about two days
The scratch and intradermal test results take about 15 minutes, but the patch test takes days. Also, an allergen specialist has to be present during any skin test to manage any severe reactions before they become life-threatening.
When visiting a clinic, it is vital that you inform the staff of your allergies so they can use alternative materials to avoid a reaction.
Examples of Products Containing Latex and Alternatives
When you think of latex products, it is easy to assume that most of them would be found within a hospital environment. Surprisingly, many common household materials contain latex, and as with most allergies, the more you are exposed to it, the worse the reaction becomes. Some of these household products include:
- Rubber dining and cooking utensils
- Children’s toys
- Rubber slippers and shoes
- Toothbrush handles
- Condoms and sanitary items
- Waterproof beds
- Rubber key handles, bands, stamps, and cords
- Rubber keys on controllers and calculators
Also, latex is included in some items such as balloons, checkout belts, buttons on machines, and gloves worn at restaurants during food preparation.
Therefore, it is important to be conscious of any latex materials in your household and have plastic or metallic alternatives for use. While shopping or using the atm, wear nylon gloves to reduce the chance of unconsciously coming in contact with latex materials.