Though the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified tobacco use as the cause of 70 percent of lung cancer deaths, those who do no...
Though the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified
tobacco use as the cause of 70 percent of lung cancer deaths, those who do not
smoke are equally at risk of developing the disease. A study conducted on Asian
patients with advanced adenocarcinoma affecting the lungs has even shown that
non-smokers have a higher chance of forming tumors compared with regular
smokers.[1]
According to the WHO, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer
deaths worldwide.[2]The
same is true in the Philippines where it is the top cancer killer among
Filipino men, and the second most common cancer killer among Filipino women.[3]
Aside from tobacco use, lung cancer may develop due to family history, exposure
to industrial and chemical carcinogens, as well as indoor and outdoor air
pollution. The WHO also identifies unhealthy habits as a leading cause of
cancer.[4]
“There is a popular notion that lung cancer is a smoker’s
disease, but even those who are already leading healthy and active lifestyles may
still be exposed to its other risk factors,” said Dr. Ena Ang of MSD Oncology.
“That is why vigilance is necessary to protect ourselves against lung cancer.”
For smokers, quitting is the necessary first step to avoiding
cancer. As for non-smokers, certain habits and practices can help minimize risk
for the disease. Below are just some of these to ensure good lung health:
1. Avoid heavily polluted areas
Increased exposure to particulate matter and air pollution
increases the likelihood of lung cancer, according to the International Agency
for Research on Cancer (IARC). Particulate matter (PM) refers to a mixture of
solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, emitted from sources such
as construction sites, power plants, industries, automobiles, and fireworks.[5]
If you work in or near areas that emit large volumes of PM,
wearing protective equipment is advised. If you can’t avoid going to heavily
polluted areas, you can wear a mask recommended or provided by your doctor.[6]
2. Keep indoor air clean
Indoor air pollution from solid fuels like wood, charcoal, and
coal used for cooking causes approximately 17 percent of annual premature lung
cancer deaths in adults, according to the WHO.[7]Households
can reduce this risk by switching to cooking technologies that are safer to
human health. Because homes are also susceptible to outdoor particulate matter due
to air leaks, air purifiers are recommended to improve indoor air quality.[8]
3. Eat more fruit and vegetables
Diet plays a central role in keeping the body healthy
against diseases, including cancer. Fruits and vegetables contain fiber,
vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help fight off cancer, while diets heavy
in protein and fat increase the risk for the disease.[9]Regular
exercise, as well as abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, maximizes the
benefits of a healthy diet.
4. Exercise more
According to the National Cancer Institute of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, physically active individuals have a
lower chance of developing lung cancer by up to 20 percent.[10]If
you already exercise regularly, it’s important to avoid working out in or near
heavily polluted areas to keep your lungs safe and healthy.
5. Seek medical assistance for symptoms
In many cases, lung cancer is already in the advanced stages
by the time it is diagnosed as the symptoms are often mistaken for common
illnesses. An early symptom of the disease can be as simple as a cough. When you
experience shortness of breath, chest pains, fatigue, and loss of weight and appetite,
see a doctor right away. Coughing up blood is already a serious sign that could
indicate advanced lung cancer.
Immediate diagnosis could prompt early action especially if
the cancer is still in its early stages. This does not mean, however, that the disease
is no longer manageable once it is already advanced. At this point, advanced
treatment options are available to help in managing Stage 4 lung cancer to
increase the rate of survival.
[1]A
Prospective, Molecular Epidemiology Study of EGFR Mutations in Asian Patients
with Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer of Adenocarcinoma Histology (2014)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4132036/
Accessed January 28 2016.
[2]
World Health Organization http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/
Accessed January 28, 2016
[3]Globocan
2012 http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/fact_sheets_population.aspx
Accessed January 28, 2016
[4]World
Health Organization http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/Accessed
January 28, 2016
[5]
United States Environmental Protection Agency http://www3.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/basic.html
Accessed
January 28, 2016
[6]Cleveland Clinichttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Understanding_COPD/hic_Preventing_Respiratory_Infection_and_Avoiding_IrritantsAccessed January 28, 2016
[7]World
Health Organizationhttp://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs292/en/
Accessed January 28, 2016
[8]
Vijayan, V. K., Paramesh, H., Salvi, S. S., & Dalal, A. A. K. (2015).
Enhancing indoor air quality –The air filter advantage. Lung India : Official
Organ of Indian Chest Society, 32(5), 473–479. http://doi.org/10.4103/0970-2113.164174
[9]
Healwithfood.org http://www.healwithfood.org/lungcancer/diet.php
Accessed January 28,2016
[10]National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet#q7Accessed January 28, 2016