Speaking of lung cancer, we don’t feel it is strange to us. Lung cancer is malignant tumor originating from the lung bronchial mucosa or glands, with the leading morbidity and mortality in China. People think that being diagnosed with lung cancer is equal to a death sentence, and are extremely afraid to hear about it. Is lung caner really so scary? How is it generated? Is there really nothing we can do about it?

I. How does lung cancer occur?

Two factors are needed:

1. Normal cells mutate into cancer cells.

2. Mutated cancer cells escape the supervision of the immune system.

# The process of lung cancer development #

Gene mutations can occur randomly during cell replication. Infinite proliferation, ability to transform and easiness to transfer are the three characteristics. The mutated cancer cells can proliferate infinitely, damage normal cells, invade part of surrounding normal tissues, and even spread to other parts of the body through the circulatory system or lymphatic system .

But lung cancer can also be caused by environmental factors, including smoking, secondhand smoke, indoor and outdoor air pollution or exposure to radioactive gases. Cells become cancerous when the lungs are exposed to carcinogens and DNA mutations accumulate. And bad habits can damage the immune system, leaving the body unable to repair and remove abnormal cells, leading to the development of lung cancer.

Therefore, reducing the incidence of cancer can essentially be achieved by decreasing gene mutations and improving immunity: eat more fruits and vegetables rich in carotene; reduce the consumption of chemically processed foods; do not smoke; exercise more; do not stay up late; strengthen occupational protection, thereby reducing the risk of cancer.

To fight against lung cancer, the first step is prevention, then screening, and then treatment. Lung cancer typically doesn’t cause obvious signs and symptoms in its earliest stages, and most of the patients seeking medical treatment are in the middle or late stage, so the early detection is the key to treatment.

II. How to detect the early-stage lung cancer?

Take effective and regular health examinations and cancer screening.

Low-dose chest CT can detect lung tumors less than or equal to 2 mm in diameter and more early-stage and resectable lung cancer. And the amount of radiation emitted by low-dose CT is 75%—90% lower than traditional CT, which greatly reduces the possible side effects of radiation so that people’s health will not be affected. It is especially suitable for high-risk groups to take lung cancer screening. For people susceptible to lung cancer, annual low-dose spiral CT scan is recommended.

III. Who needs to do early screening for lung cancer?

#High-risk group of lung cancer#

People at high risk for lung cancer include those over the age of 40 who have one of the following characteristics:

(1）Those who have smoked more than 400 cigarettes per year (i.e. the number of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years of smoking is greater than 400), or once smoked more than 400 cigarettes per year, or have quit smoking for less than 15 years;

(2) Those having environmental and high-risk occupational exposure history, such as long-term exposure to asbestos, beryllium, uranium, radon, etc.;

(3) Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diffuse pulmonary fibrosis or history of tuberculosis;

(4) Those having a history of other malignant tumors, or a family history of lung cancer (first-degree relatives with blood relationship have lung cancer).

#People at medium risk of lung cancer#

People at medium risk for developing lung cancer are defined as those over 40 with any of the following characteristics:

(1) Those having passive smoking for more than 20 years (patients themselves do not smoke, but for a long time they have been in close contact with smokers and exposed to “secondhand smoke” passively);

(2) Exposure to kitchen smoke for more than 20 years due to long-term cooking.

Prevention is also needed even if there is no smoking and no history of occupational exposure.

IV. What should we do if lung cancer is diagnosed?

1. Some early-stage lung cancer can be cured through surgeries and adjuvant treatment.

2. For lung cancer of the middle and advanced stages, if surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy to develop a set of comprehensive and individualized treatment plan, lung cancer may become a “chronic disease” , which will enable patients to coexist with the tumor and survive for a long time.

Therefore, lung cancer is not equal to a terminal disease. If early-stage lung cancer is diagnosed, you should actively receive standardized treatment in qualified hospitals. While a lung cancer diagnosis is bad news and it is inevitable to be nervous and anxious, there is no need to panic too much. The earlier lung cancer is detected, the more treatment options available, and the greater the chance of being cured.

It is therefore suggested to develop a good lifestyle and correct eating habits and keep taking regular physical examination. It is particularly essential to ensure early diagnosis, early detection, early treatment and occupational protection, and to reduce the contact with carcinogenic factors.