Lungs are spongy organs present in our body.Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among smokers worldwide.
Risk factors of smoking:
- Smokers:lung cancer affects both smokers and nonsmokers but the smokers are at greater risk.
- Exposure to Secondhand smoking
- Exposure to asbestos
- Exposure to Radon
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:
- Persistent cough that doesn’t go away
- Coughing up blood, even a small amount
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Hoarseness
- Losing weight
- Bone pain especially in joints
- Headache
How smoking causes lung cancer?
Doctors believe smoking causes lung cancer by damaging the cells that line the lungs. When you inhale cigarette smoke, which is full of cancer-causing substances (carcinogens), changes in the lung tissue begin almost immediately.
At first your body may be able to repair this damage. But with each repeated exposure, normal cells that line your lungs are increasingly damaged. Over time, the damage causes cells to act abnormally and eventually cancer may develop.
Prevention:
Lung cancer can be prevented by adapting following things and restricting harmful factors;
- Stop smoking
- Avoid secondhand smoking
- Eat fruits and vegetables
- Exercise daily
- Avoid carcinogens at work
