Lung Cancer: what women need to know

There are encouraging news for women in the fight against lung cancer. Although the incidence of lung cancer in women is increased rapidly after World War II as more women started to smoke, eventually this trend can be reversed. Recent studies show that the cases of lung cancer in women have stabilized for the first time.

However, according to the national women's health resource center (NWHRC), to raise awareness of the disease and its causes are still urgent. Despite the downward trend, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the United States for one in the accounts of lung cancer deaths from cancer four and one of every eight cancers just diagnosed in women. In total, 173,000 Americans are diagnosed each year.

According to a new report by NWHRC, lung cancer: what you need to know, women who smoke are 12 times more likely to have lung cancer, those who don't, but more than one in five women will continue to smoke.

Of the two main types of cancer cell lung cancer (NSCLC) not small and (SCLC), women who smoke small cell lung cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with SCLC, the more aggressive.

Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipe remains the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for almost nine out of 10 cases.

However, you do not need to smoke to get lung cancer. Breathe the smoke of possible other people also affect you. Studies show that spouses of smokers are more likely to 20 to 30 per cent of developing the disease than non-smokers. Other causes include exposure to harmful substances at home or at work, such as radon or asbestos, and some people seem to be most vulnerable.

Close each age reduces the risk, but the degree of risk depends on the length of time from the person as heavily smoked and exit. In addition to smoke or never smoking, people can minimize risks by reducing exposure to harmful substances. A small percentage of people may be genetically susceptible to lung cancer.

Symptoms include a persistent cough, phlegm and blood-stained or chewing, lack of encouragement, pain in the chest, recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.

Recent advances in the treatment of lung cancer have helped to improve the survival and quality of life.

Treatments include surgery to remove the tumor radiation to eliminate or reduce cancer cells, chemotherapy and new therapies specifications or a combination of these treatments.