Lung cancer is cancer that forms in the lungs. This cancer is one of the most common cancers in Indonesia. Globally, lung cancer is the first cause of cancer death in men and the second cause of cancer death in women.
Although it often occurs in smokers, lung cancer can also occur in people who are not smokers. In non-smokers, lung cancer occurs due to frequent exposure to cigarette smoke from other people ( passive smokers ) or exposure to chemicals in the work environment.
Types of Lung Cancer
Based on its development, lung cancer can be divided into two types, namely:
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Non-small cell
lung cancer This type of lung cancer is the most common, which is about 87% of all lung cancer cases. This type has three main types, namely adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma . -
Small cell
lung cancer This type of lung cancer is rare. In contrast to non-small cell lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer can spread very quickly. Most cases of this type of lung cancer are caused by smoking.
Lung Cancer Causes and Symptoms
Lung cancer most often occurs due to smoking habits. However, people who don't smoke can also suffer from lung cancer, especially if they are often exposed to air pollution, live in an environment that is polluted with harmful substances, or have a family with lung cancer.
Lung cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. New symptoms appear when the cancer is large enough or has spread to surrounding tissues and organs. Some of the symptoms that lung cancer sufferers can feel are chronic cough , shortness of breath, coughing up blood , and chest pain.
Lung Cancer Treatment and Prevention
Lung cancer can be treated in various ways, depending on the patient's condition and the severity of the cancer. The main treatment for early-stage lung cancer is surgery. If the cancer has reached an advanced stage, then treatment can be done with radiotherapy and chemotherapy .
Prevention of lung cancer can be done by stopping smoking or avoiding cigarette smoke. For someone who is at risk of developing lung cancer, routine checkups should be done. In addition, it is recommended to exercise regularly and eat a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet.