It's hard to believe that August 1st is right around the corner! This day is special because it is World Lung Cancer Day. It's a day to raise awareness for this challenging disease that affects over 500,000 people who are alive today. Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer across the entire globe.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which cells grow out of control, harming the body and affecting how it functions. Lung cancer is when this happens in the lungs. There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. It can start in the lungs, or cancer can start elsewhere in the body and spread to the lungs.
The symptoms of lung cancer vary widely from person to person. Some people have few symptoms. Others have a cough or respiratory symptoms that don't go away. Other symptoms might include sudden weight loss and feeling tired all the time.
The most common tests to diagnose lung cancer include imaging like CT Scans, biopsies, and a test to look at your sputum - the mucus from your respiratory tract - under a microscope.
Treatments for Lung Cancer
The treatments for lung cancer depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The treatment for lung cancer may include surgery to remove cancerous growths. Another type of therapy directs radiation at the tumor to shrink it. Chemotherapy is also an option. This consists of prescription medications given intravenously or as pills such as methotrexate or docetaxel to shrink or even kill the cancer. Other prescription medications may be given to prevent the spread of cancer and further growth.
Each type of treatment for lung cancer requires some prescription medications, and they can be costly. Luckily, rxless is here to help. You can find a deep discount on a prescription drug for lung cancer on our site. Just search for the medication you need, select the pharmacy you would like to use, and then show the pharmacist your offer when you pick up your prescription!
Lung Cancer Prevention
There are many things you can do to lower your risk of getting lung cancer. Experts estimate that up to 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking tobacco. This includes cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Experts believe that vaping is also a risk factor for lung cancer. So, quitting smoking and vaping as soon as possible, or avoid doing it in the first place is a great way to reduce your risk. Avoiding second hand smoke, caused by other people smoking, helps to reduce your risk as well.
Always follow safety guidelines at work if you work around chemicals or other things you might breathe in that can cause lung cancer. Finally, get your home tested for radon. High exposure to radon is also associated with a risk of lung cancer.
If you have a family history of lung cancer, you may be more likely to get it. If you do, you should be vigilant and watch for symptoms.
On World Lung Cancer Day, August 1, we challenge you to find one way to reduce your risk for lung cancer, to stay healthy!
