Lung Cancer is divided into two major types, non-small cell lung cancer - more common and generally grows and spreads more slowly, and small cell lung cancer (sometimes called oat cell) - grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other organs in the body.

What everyone should know about lung cancer:

  • Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women and the leading cause of cancer death in both sexes.

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in African-Americans.

  • Cigarette smoking accounts for nearly 90% of all lung cancers.

Risk Factors

  • Tobacco Use - Harmful substances, called carcinogens, in tobacco damage the cells in the lungs. Persons who smoke cigarettes, cigars and pipes have a higher risk of lung cancer than nonsmokers.

  • Lung Diseases - Certain lung diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), increase a person’s chance of developing lung cancer.

  • Personal History - A person who has had lung cancer once is more likely to develop a second lung cancer compared with a person who has never had lung cancer.

  • Exposure to:
     

    • Environmental Tobacco Smoke - The chance of developing lung cancer is increased by exposure to secondhand smoke.
    • Radon - Radioactive particles found in mines and it may be found in some houses. Damages the cells lining the lung. Long-term exposure can lead to lung cancer.
    • Asbestos - Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as fibers and are used in certain industries.

  • Pollution - Researchers have found a link between lung cancer and exposure to certain air pollutants, such as by-products of the combustion of diesel and other fossil fuels.

Signs and Symptoms:
Common signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:

  • A cough that doesn’t go away and gets worse over time
  • Constant chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
  • Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
  • Swelling of the neck and face
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue

These symptoms may be caused by lung cancer or by other conditions. It is important to check with a doctor.

Guidelines for Diagnosing Lung Cancer

Doctors evaluate a person’s medical history, smoking history, exposure to environmental and occupational substances, and family history of cancer. The doctor also performs a physical exam and may order a chest x-ray and other tests. If lung cancer is suspected, sputum cytology (the microscopic examination of cells obtained from a deep-cough sample of mucus in the lungs) is a simple test that may be useful in detecting lung cancer. For confirmation, a biopsy is performed–removal of a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist-which can show whether a person has cancer.

To find more information on smoke cessation programs, lung cancer and the hazards of tobacco use, call the American Lung Association, the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER, local health department or the American Cancer Society. For more information about the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer II, call 1-800-724-1185.