Lung cancer

More men and women die of lung cancer than any other cancer. It usually strikes between the ages of 70 and 79. Most lung cancers start in the bronchi, the airways leading to the lungs.

Lung cancer is usually suspected when a chest X-ray shows a shadow on the lung. To confirm the diagnosis, a doctor will examine phlegm or mucus that is coughed up. A lesion (an area of damaged or abnormal tissue) found on a chest X-ray can be confirmed by a CT scan of the chest, and a long needle can be placed through the chest under CT guidance to biopsy (take a sample of) the lesion.

Lung cancer can be managed with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, either alone or in combination, depending on how advanced the tumour is. Which treatment or combination of treatments is best will depend on the type of lung cancer, how advanced the cancer is (i.e., the stage of the cancer), your overall health, side effects, and the potential for curing the cancer, relieving symptoms, or prolonging life.

Smoking causes more than 80% of lung cancers. One of the best ways to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking and minimize your exposure to second-hand smoke (second-hand smoke can raise the risk of lung cancer even if you don't smoke). There are a few other things you can do to help reduce your risk of lung cancer: Minimize your exposure to air pollution, asbestos, radon, arsenic, tar, and soot.