Lung Cancer Fact Sheet

The Lung Cancer Fact Sheet provides an in-depth overview of lung cancer, including its types, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis methods, treatment options, and preventive measures. It emphasizes the importance of understanding lung cancer for better patient support and awareness. The fact sheet is structured to be visually engaging and informative, making it a valuable resource for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Running head: FACT SHEET 1
Fact Sheet
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Fact Sheet
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer refers to the abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in one or both lungs. Human
beings have two lungs, which constitute the respiratory system. Lungs have bronchi which are
airways and the bronchi which form small sacs of air known as the alveoli.
Are there any types of lung cancer?
Lung cancer is found in different forms, all of which begin by a single cell within the lungs.
 Small-cell Lung cancer (SCLC) results in roughly 12% of all the reported cases of lung
cancer5. It arises when abnormal growth occurs in the epithelial cells which line the
cavities around the bronchi. This type grows and spreads rapidly.
 Non-small cell Lung cancer (NSCLC) makes more than 60% of all reported cases of lung
cancer. It is caused by different kinds of cancers whose growth and spread is slow
compared to SCLC2. This type of cancer majorly affects the cells lining small airways
and bronchi.
 Other types constitute about 25% of all the reported cases of lung cancer4. The
classification into these many types is inspired by several factors such as the molecular
architecture and histology of the tumor.
Does lung cancer have any symptoms?
Typically, lung cancer does not produce any detectable signs. However, it is detected when
taking X-rays to detect other complications4, 5. The commonly observed symptoms include:
 discomfort and pain in the shoulders and chest which result in persistent chest pains

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 Hemoptysis: Emitting sputum containing blood primarily coughed from the lungs
 Loss of weight and appetite
 Persistent chest infections which do not heal
 Shortness in breath
 Being hoarse or changing voice
 Coughing in a new way
Other factors apart from lung cancer may trigger the above factors. Should the patient experience
any of these symptoms, they should discuss them with the physician.
What factors increase the risk of lung cancer?
Risk factors refer to factors that increase the chances of contracting a given disease for instance,
lung cancer. There are a number of factors that increase the risk for lung cancer. A number of
these factors are modifiable while others are not.
It is worth noting that being exposed to several risk factors does not necessarily warrant the
development of lung cancer. Many people have lung cancer, yet they are only exposed to one
risk factor. Other people, however, do not have cancer, yet they are exposed to more than two
risk factors. Usually, it is hard to determine the specific element that contributed to the
development of cancer in lung cancer patients.
The following factors have been noted to contribute to the risk of contracting lung cancer:
 Smoking of tobacco
 History of lung infections like Emphysema, lung fibrosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and
chronic bronchitis7.

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 Environmental factors like occupational exposure, for instance, diesel exhaust fumes and
asbestos; and passive smoking
 History in the family of lung cancer infection
 Radiation therapy treatment on the chest or breasts
Lung cancer was historically associated with smoking. However, recent studies in the U.S show
that at least 13% cases of lung cancers have no relationship with smoking.
How is Lung cancer diagnosed?
Since the demonstration of symptoms does not necessarily warrant the prevalence of lung cancer,
there is a need to investigate the signs and confirmed through diagnosing. Some of the most
commonly used tests include:
 Biopsy which involves taking small tissues from the lungs to be examined under a
microscope6.
 Examination of sputum samples. The released sputum is examined for lung cancer cells3.
However, it may not always reveal cancerous cells in the lungs.
 Imaging tests.
o X-ray images taken to reveal abnormal growths in the lungs.
o CT scans are the most accurate compared to X-rays. CT scans show little lesions
which X-rays are not able to detect6.
 Physical examination of patients
 Bronchoscopy is used to examine the internal parts of the lungs

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Treatment and prognosis
The type of treatment administered is determined by which the stage the disease is, the general
health status of the patient, and the extent of symptoms they show.
A multidisciplinary team provides the care and treatment of lung cancer.
 Stage 4 cancer is the most advanced lung cancer stage. It marks the distribution of cancer
to many other body parts8.
 Lung cancer is often discovered late in most people when it has already spread to most
body parts8.
Several treatment options for Lung Cancer exist. They include:
 Clinical trials
 Surgery. Is used to eliminate cancer infected cells in the lungs. Surgery is not an effective
treatment for lung cancer since it is discovered when it has already spread in the body.
 Targeted therapy. Cancer cells are targeted in this type of treatment and killed to reduce
the effect they cause when they are left to spread
 Chemotherapy is mostly done to treat small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy uses drugs to
destroy cancerous cells. It inhibits the growth of cancerous cells, which are known to
have a higher growth and multiplication rate8. Chemotherapy does the following:
o Cures cancer by destroying cancerous cells until they are undetectable in the body
o Controls cancer by slowing down the growth and spread of cancerous cells in the
body
o Eases the symptoms of cancer by shrinking pain-causing tumors

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 Immunotherapy
Research is currently ongoing to find an effective treatment for every type of lung cancer in a
more efficient way.
What are the support services available for cancer patients?
Upon diagnosis, patients always feel scared, angry, scared, and anxious on realizing that test
results confirm they have cancer.
Following diagnostic, patients require both emotional and practical support to carry on. Health
professionals, family, and friends as well as support services, provide the needed support5.
Help can be accessed through the following helpline free of charge 131120
Are there any preventive mechanisms for lung cancer?
Lung cancer can be prevented by exercising healthy lifestyles. You can prevent lung cancer by:
 Avoiding smoking by all means
 Practicing healthy lifestyles by observing healthy and balanced diets accompanied by
fruits and vegetables1, 2.
 Avoiding inhaling secondary smoke from smokers
 Monitoring the surrounding to ensure it is free from radon chemicals and asbestos that
transmit lung cancer

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References
1. Arrieta, O., López-Mejía, M., Macedo-Pérez, E. O., & Corona-Cruz, J. F. (2016).
Proposals for the prevention of lung cancer in the health system of Mexico. salud pública
de méxico, 58, 274-278.
2. American Lung Association. (2015). Lung cancer fact sheet. American Lung Association
http://www. lung.
org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/resource-library/lung-
cancer-fact-sheet. html (accessed 11 September 2018).
3. Cancer Council Australia. (n.d.). Facts and figures. Retrieved from
https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/facts-and-figures.html
4. Crane, M., Scott, N., O’Hara, B. J., Aranda, S., Lafontaine, M., Stacey, I., ... & Currow,
D. (2016). Knowledge of the signs and symptoms and risk factors of lung cancer in
Australia: mixed methods study. BMC public health, 16(1), 508.
5. Eaton, K. D., Jagels, B., & Martins, R. G. (2016). Value-based care in lung cancer. The
oncologist, 21(8), 903-906.
6. Garon, E. B., Rizvi, N. A., Hui, R., Leighl, N., Balmanoukian, A. S., Eder, J. P., ... &
Carcereny, E. (2015). Pembrolizumab for the treatment of non–small-cell lung
cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(21), 2018-2028.
7. Morampudi, S., Das, N., Gowda, A., & Patil, A. (2017). Estimation of lung cancer burden
in Australia, the Philippines, and Singapore: an evaluation of disability adjusted life
years. Cancer biology & medicine, 14(1), 74.
8. Woodard, G. A., Jones, K. D., & Jablons, D. M. (2016). Lung cancer staging and
prognosis. In Lung Cancer (pp. 47-75). Springer, Cham.