Cigarette smoking has a negative impact on the health of people around the world. In 2017, it was found that smoking kills nearly 8 million people per year, with approximately 7 million deaths from smoking. Approximately 1.2 million people die from exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) (World Health Organization, 2021), with the majority being exposed to secondhand smoke at home (Carreras, Lachi, Cortini, Gallus, Lopez, Lopez-Nicolas, et., 2021) and more than 81.8 percent of Thai people smoke in the home and near children. It must be said that lung cancer is considered a cancer that has always been in the Top 5, regardless of whether it is a world record. or the statistics of Thailand Including exposure to carcinogenic substances such as radon gas, asbestos, radiation, incense smoke, and smoke from exhaust pipes. and air pollution Especially PM 2.5 dust These are all risk factors that can cause lung cancer.

Source: Secondhand smoke: health impact and control measures

Know and understand lung cancer

There are two main types of lung cancer, among which 85% of lung cancer that is frequently found in cancer patients each year is Non-small cell lung cancer, while another 15% of lung cancer patients found is a small cell lung cancer that grows faster and spreads than non-small cell lung cancer.

Check for lung cancer

• small cell lung cancer (Small cell lung cancer) found in approximately 10-15 percent. Cells will grow. And it spreads to various organs more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer. Found mostly in patients who smoke. 

• Non-small cell lung cancer (Non-small cell lung cancer) is more common than small cell lung cancer, approximately 85-90 percent. It can be found in both smokers and non-smokers. There is growth. And can spread to various organs, but more slowly than small cell lung cancer.

How can a patient know if he or she has lung cancer?

• Patients who do not have symptoms But it will be detected by going for an annual physical examination. Or is it a screening test for high-risk patients, such as people who are older and still smoke? in a reasonable amount There should be regular screening.

• Patients who have already begun to have symptoms Do an investigation according to the symptoms shown.

Risk factors for lung cancer

• smoking – The main factors that cause lung cancer including other types of cancer Those who smoke have a 10 times greater risk of lung cancer compared to non-smokers.
• Secondhand smoke – Even if you don't smoke But exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke from inhaling it will leave toxins in the lungs that cause cancer.
• Working in industries that contain carcinogens – Exposure to carcinogenic substances such as chromium, rock mites, radon, nickel, etc.
• Environment with toxic dust – Studies have shown that PM2.5 dust increases the risk of lung cancer by 1 - 1.4 times, which is considered comparable to the severe risk of smoking.

• heredity – Although lung cancer is not directly inherited, it has been found that if there is a family history of lung cancer Family members are also at higher risk.

How do we know that? Suspected symptoms may be symptoms of lung cancer.

Patients with lung cancer problems Most often do not show any symptoms. In patients with lung cancer Most often do not show symptoms. Because sometimes the tumor is located in the middle of the lung and is not attached to any other organ, it does not interfere with the functioning of other organs. But if the tumor occurs in the area adjacent to the trachea, blood vessels, or lymph nodes Often causes various symptoms, such as

Chronic dry cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain. or has spread into the pleural membrane There may be a risk of pleural effusion. which results in labored breathing and if the spread of the lump into the large vein Often results in swollen face and swollen arms.

Besides lung cancer Cancer cells in the lungs Or the organs in the lungs may have spread outside the lungs. It will cause various symptoms. Whether it's going to the brain, going to the liver, going to the adrenal glands. to the herniated bone which various symptoms It depends on where the cancer cells have spread or spread. 

For example, if it spreads to the brain There will be a headache. or have unclear speech, weakness, or numbness or if it spreads to the liver There will be problems with jaundice, yellow eyes, fatigue, and not being able to eat. If the cancer has spread to the bones, there may be bone pain. or spread to the adrenal glands There may be abnormal hormone secretion.

What symptoms are at risk for lung cancer?

Symptoms of patients with lung cancer are often non-specific, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. Some may not have symptoms. But when the disease spreads or the cancer has spread to various organs, the following symptoms may be experienced:

• Chronic cough (dry cough or cough with mucus)
• Wheezing
• Pain in the chest area
• Coughing up blood
• Hoarseness
• Frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia
• Tired easily or feel tired all the time
• Unexplained weight loss

Therefore, symptoms that may be warning signs of lung cancer include various symptoms. mentioned above, such as fever, chronic cough, coughing up blood, or all of the above, but it must be emphasized that If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. Because the symptoms These are not specific to lung cancer. But it can be found in other conditions or other diseases.

Today, medical technology has advanced more than ever before. Diagnosis of various diseases is faster. We can detect risk before it is even a disease. But even if you have the disease, there are more treatment options available. Gives patients more encouragement to fight lung cancer or other serious diseases.