What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells grow rapidly in the lining of the tubes, branches or air sacs that make up your lungs. It’s a very common type of cancer. However, it has been declining in recent years. This decline is partly due to fewer people smoking and a broader disease awareness. If you have a history of smoking and meet other criteria, you may qualify for routine lung cancer screening, which catches early signs of lung cancer when it’s most treatable.
There are two main types of lung cancer—non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). While both types of lung cancer start in the lining of the lungs, NSCLC is more common and usually grows slower than SCLC.
Symptoms of lung cancer
Lung cancer causes a range of symptoms similar to other respiratory conditions. In the early stages, you may have no lung cancer symptoms, and the condition is only detected through an imaging test or routine lung cancer screening.
In the beginning stages of lung cancer, respiratory symptoms are more common. As lung cancer spreads, you may have symptoms that affect other places in your body.
Lung cancer symptoms include:
- A lingering cough
- Changes in breathing, like wheezing or shortness of breath
- Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness
- Coughing up blood or blood in saliva
- Body pain or chest pain
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Swelling in the face or neck
- Fatigue
- Recurring respiratory infections
When to see a doctor
It’s important to stay in tune with your body and know when to get checked for lung cancer symptoms. Although you can have respiratory symptoms with various conditions, it is crucial to consult a doctor when experiencing lung cancer symptoms, especially if you have been exposed to cigarette smoke, or have a smoking history.
Your doctor is your best resource to understand your symptoms and guide your path to treatment.
Causes of lung cancer
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Exposure to other harmful substances or chemicals could also lead to lung cancer. However, a small number of people develop lung cancer without any risk factors or prior history of cigarette smoking.
How does smoking cause lung cancer
Tobacco smoke is known to contain several substances that are considered cancer-causing, called carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals over time leads to more and more damage in your lung tissue, which causes abnormal changes to lung cells, which then multiply over time.
Bonny's story: The power of early detection.
When Bonny, a former smoker, noticed signs something was off with her body, a screening test revealed early-stage lung cancer. But with our team, she found the right support to put cancer behind her.
Types of lung cancer
The type of lung cancer you have will guide your treatment plan. Your care team will place your lung cancer in one of two main groups—non-small or small cell lung cancer—depending on the original location of the abnormal cells.
Lung cancer stages
Lung cancer staging helps you understand the size and location of your lung cancer and how far it has spread. During staging, you may have imaging tests such as a CT, MRI or PET scan to look for signs of cancer cells in different body areas. The stage of your lung cancer provides essential information to guide your decisions in selecting the treatment plan for your specific condition.
Non-small cell lung cancer is put into one of five stages—from 0 to 4. The higher the number, the more your lung cancer has spread. Stage 0 non-small cell lung cancer is the earliest stage, while stage 4, metastatic lung cancer, is the most advanced.
Small cell lung cancer usually only has two stages. In limited-stage SCLC, lung cancer is still limited to a portion of the chest that can be treated with radiation, whereas extensive-stage SCLC has spread to other areas or distant areas. Most cases of SCLC are found when they’ve reached the extensive stage.
How to prevent lung cancer
While not every case of lung cancer is preventable, you can take steps to reduce your risk. Smoking is the most significant risk factor for lung cancer, so quitting tobacco is one of the best choices for your lungs. If you’re ready to quit, talk with your doctor or find free resources at YesQuit.org or SmokeFree.gov.
Screening is another great choice if you have a high risk. While screening may not prevent lung cancer completely, early detection and treatment can stop the cancer from spreading.
Lung cancer screening
The earlier you find lung cancer, the better. A simple yearly imaging test could detect lung cancer before you have symptoms, especially in people with a high risk of lung cancer. Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan to look for signs of cancer or lung nodules, giving you peace of mind about your lung health.
Ask your doctor about a referral for lung cancer screening if you meet the following guidelines:
- 50-80 years old
- Smoking history equal to 20 pack years or more (number of packs per day x number of years smoked = total pack years)
- Current smoker or stopped smoking in the last 15 years
- No lung cancer symptoms
Lung cancer care near you
You have access to multiple care centers, including centers specializing in lung cancer care. Get started by finding a lung cancer care location near you.
