Lung Cancer Awareness Day observed annually on 1st August, serves as a vital reminder of the global impact of one of the deadliest cancers. Despite significant advancement in medical research and treatment, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. This day is dedicated to raising awareness, promoting early detection, reducing stigma and encouraging support for those affected.

Understanding Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease where cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably, forming tumours that can interfere with the lung’s primary function of oxygen exchange.

There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type, accounting for about 80-85% of cases. It includes subtypes such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma
• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): This type is less common but tends to grow and spread more quickly than NSCLC

Symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms often do not appear until the disease is advanced. However, key symptoms to watch out for include:

• Persistent cough
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Weight loss and loss of appetite
• Frequent respiratory infections

What are the causes of lung cancer?

Anyone can develop lung cancer, but around 90% of cases occur in people who smoke or who used to smoke. Your risk of getting lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you’ve smoked and the number of years you’ve been a smoker. If you stop smoking, the risk gets lower over time – after 10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.

Breathing in other people’s smoke over a long period can also increase your risk of getting lung cancer. Other environmental factors, such as exposure to asbestos, can increase the risk as well.

People who’ve never smoked are more likely to develop one particular type of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma.

Lung cancer usually affects people over the age of 60. Younger people can develop lung cancer, but this is rare.

Treatment for lung cancer

Treatment for lung cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. Options include:

• Surgery: Removing the tumor and surrounding tissue.
• Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth.
• Targeted Therapy: Using drugs that target specific genetic changes in cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

If the condition is diagnosed early and the cancerous cells are confined to a small area, surgery to remove the affected area of the lung is usually recommended. Survival rates can vary widely depending on how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis. Early diagnosis can make a big difference.

Lung cancer is sometimes wrongly viewed as a smoker’s disease, leading to blame and stigma that can prevent patients from seeking help. Lung Cancer Awareness Day encourages compassion and understanding, emphasising that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.

If you feel that you or a loved one have experienced a delay in a diagnosis of lung cancer and have suffered a worse prognosis as a result, please contact our experienced medical negligence team on 01482 323697 to discuss how we may be able to help.