Cancer is a disease marked by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. The abnormal cells no longer do the work that the normal cells did, and they crowd out and destroy healthy tissue. Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer that causes death among men and ranks second to women.

Cancer can take years to develop. However sometimes changes in the lung can appear immediately it exposed to carcinogens (cancer-causing substance). After exposed the main breathing tubes will reveal a few unusual cells, if it continues to be exposed more abnormal cells will develop

Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Men who smoke are known to be 22 times more likely of getting lung cancer. Radon ( a radioactive gas) is considered to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Some people are also exposed to chemicals and fumes at work that may cause lung cancer

-Surgery : Surgery is chosen because of the size and location of the tumor. -Radiation therapy: generally only shrinks or limits the tumors growth when given as a sole therapy. Radiation therapy is preformed when the individual can not under go surgery. - Chemotherapy: use of drugs which stops the cancer cells form growing by killing them or preventing them from dividing. - When combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy a person’s chances of surviving are even better! - The decision about which treatments will be appropriate for a certain individual must take into account the localization and size of the tumor as well as the general health status of the patient.

There are 3 general types of surgery: 1. Wedge resection- in a wedge resection a tumor is found through a Thoracotomy or a VATS, Then they remove the tumor and a small amount of normal lung. 2. Lobectomy- this is known to be a better cancer operation because more surrounding normal lung tissue is taken away. This means that if there are microscopic cancer cells present, removal of tissue would be helpful. Usually performed via a thoracotomy. 3. Pneumonectomy- though this operation an entire lung is removed. It is performed on patients with normal or near normal lung function. A pneumonectomy is performed through a thoracotomy. (A thoracotomy is any type of chest incision) (VATS is invasive chest surgery using special telescopes and video cameras to look and operate inside the chest through 2 to 4 small one- to two-inch incisions)

-If you are a smoker, STOP SMOKING! - If you are a non smoker strive for a SMOKE FREE EVIRONMENT! -check your home for radon if you live in an area known to have high levels. - Ask questions about your work surroundings, if you are exposed to industrial dusts and fumes.

As you can see once exposed to lung cancer the abnormal cells no longer do the work that the normal cells did.

- Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support & Education - American Lung Association - Gynecologic Cancer Foundation - International Myeloma Foundation - Ovarian Cancer - S. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) - National Children’s Cancer Society