Cancer is a devastating diagnosis, and the illness is undeniably life-altering regardless of the severity. While smoking and second-hand smoke are among the leading causes of lung cancer, various other impacts can negatively impact lung health and increase your chances of developing lung cancer. Unfortunately, over 250 000 individuals are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the United States of America alone. While no one knows precisely when or how the development of lung cancer will occur, identifying the common causes can help you reduce your risk of developing the illness and ensure you can consult a medical practitioner to diagnose and treat the illness in the early stages.
These common causes of lung cancer are not the only causes out there, although they are the most prominent. If you have been exposed to any of the following, you should consult your doctor and conform to ongoing checkups to ensure you can identify a diagnosis as early as possible.
Dust And Debris Inhalation
One of the most prominent events in America’s recent history is the fall of the World Trade Center, more commonly known as the Twin Towers. This event led to the deaths of many individuals, and decades later, many who were at the scene or in the area up to a year later have developed various forms of cancer as a result of dust, debris, and toxin inhalation from the attack. While there is a 9/11 victims compensation fund to assist survivors in recovering damages after developing cancer from this incident, it is wise to opt for an expert 9/11 lawyer to handle your claim. With that said, there are various other scenarios in which dust and debris inhalation can lead to a lung cancer diagnosis.
Dust and debris inhalation is a common cause of cancer. Even though the 9/11 terrorist attack is a prominent example of the impacts of this cancer-causing situation, there are other situations in which dust and debris inhalation have caused cancer in individuals. Generally, individuals working in the construction industry and other hazardous sectors are at a higher risk of developing cancer.
Exposure To Pollutants Such As Asbestos
Fortunately, asbestos has been banned for quite some time from use in building construction after studies concluded that inhalation of asbestos could lead to lung cancer. However, various other pollutants can have a similar effect on lung health. Workplace environments are common areas in which exposure to harmful contaminants such as carcinogenic chemicals can cause cancer. If you have developed lung cancer due to your working environment, you should seek compensation for medical costs from your employer with the help of a lawyer.
Even if your employer has implemented necessary health and safety measures to care for employees’ health, prolonged exposure to pollutants can cause the development of cancer. So, suppose you work in a hazardous working environment, such as construction, manufacturing, mining, and others. In that case, you should also conform to regular health checks to ensure your work environment is not negatively impacting your health.
Genetics And Lifestyle Choices
While there is valid evidence to suggest that a family history of lung cancer will increase your chances of developing the illness, when paired with specific lifestyle choices such as tobacco use and alcohol use, the risk increases dramatically. In cases where lifestyle choices are the result of cancer development, it is recommended to abandon bad habits to assist with treatment programs.
However, in cases of genetic causes, your doctor will recommend a suitable treatment plan. Switching to a healthy lifestyle might not be able to cure your cancer, although the positive change will assist with your treatment by boosting your overall health. There are studies to confirm that a healthy diet can have a massively positive impact on cancer treatments. In some cases, pairing commercial cancer treatments with health alternative treatments has shown positive results for cancer patients. However, be sure to discuss any alternative treatment options with your doctor before committing to another type of treatment.
Identifying The Signs And Symptoms Of Various Types Of Cancer
Regardless of your age, lifestyle, and family history, it is important for everyone to know and identify the signs and symptoms of cancer; if you can identify the symptoms early on increases your chances of recovery through treatment dramatically. While the signs and symptoms of cancer will depend on the type and stage, common symptoms to look out for include stubborn pains.
Bone cancer and cancerous brain tumors will cause nagging pain right from the beginning. If you experience any ongoing pain, you should immediately seek medical attention. On the other hand, other telltale signs of cancer include weight loss that is not justifiable through diet or exercise, unexplainable fatigue, a high fever that exceeds three days, changes in your skin such as unexplainable rashes, dryness, and flaking. In addition to these, sores that don’t seem to heal, coughing that doesn’t subside within a few days and are not related to a cold or flu, unusual bleeding such as blood in your feces or urine. If you are experiencing if one of these symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor. Instead of leaving signs and symptoms, or waiting for more to develop, consulting your doctor will help you catch the illness in its infancy, enhancing your chances of survival.
While there are a few other causes of lung cancer, it is best to identify your cause to fight the illness. Lung cancer is an undeniably devastating diagnosis for anyone, regardless of age and gender. However, if you can identify the early symptoms, seeking medical treatment early on can increase treatment success. It is also wise to consider cancer support care programs that focus on helping patients deal with the emotional impacts of the diagnosis and the effects of the primary treatment’s side effects. Be sure to also rely on your support system by reaching out to friends and family as a positive mindset and headstrong determination are essential when fighting cancer.