Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer in Germany.
Smokers are particularly at risk.
In the beginning, the disease causes hardly any symptoms - but there are signs that a doctor should be consulted.
Bremen – Lung cancer is a dreaded diagnosis.
Of all types of cancer, lung cancer has the highest mortality rate in Germany.
The insidious thing about the disease is that it causes hardly any symptoms or no symptoms at the beginning, similar to colon cancer, and is therefore often only discovered at a late stage.
For those affected, the diagnosis often comes unexpectedly.
Symptoms of lung cancer: what are the chances of recovery?
The chances of recovery are greater the earlier the tumor is discovered.
It is therefore important to know the first signs and symptoms of cancer and especially lung cancer and to go to the doctor immediately if you suspect it.
The symptoms can also be caused by completely different, harmless diseases.
This is also referred to by kreiszeitung.de.
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According to a new study, the risk of developing lung cancer is linked to a low level of education and income.
© imago/symbol picture
In Germany there are no regulated preventive services for lung cancer, unlike colon cancer or breast cancer, for which there are regular early detection services.
Therefore, possible symptoms should always be taken seriously and a doctor's office should be consulted at the first signs - because that drastically increases the chances of survival.
Detect lung cancer early: Lung tumors do not initially cause any symptoms or symptoms
Lung tumors or 'bronchial carcinomas' usually do not cause any symptoms at the beginning.
In addition, there are actually no symptoms that clearly only indicate lung cancer.
Certain signs of lung cancer can also be caused by other diseases such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
What are the chances of surviving lung cancer?
According to the Robert Koch Institute
, lung cancer has
a rather unfavorable prognosis.
Around 18 out of 100 patients are still alive after 5 years (21 women and 15 men).
However, as with all types of cancer, the chances of survival improve significantly if the tumor is detected at an early stage.
That's why it's so important to know the signs and avoid risk factors like smoking.
Lung carcinomas are malignant growths that arise from the lung tissue.
They can develop in any part of the lungs, but most commonly in the upper parts of the lungs.
According to the
German Cancer Society (DKG)
, this is probably because these are more ventilated when breathing and are exposed to harmful substances to a greater extent than other sections.
What are signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
Cough
(especially if it lasts longer than three weeks with no other known cause, or if a chronic cough gets worse)
weight loss
shortness of breath
chest pain
Bloody sputum
when coughing or prolonged sputum, even if there is no blood in it
bone pain
thickened fingertips
(drumstick fingers)
Recognize lung cancer: Atypical symptoms and signs can indicate disease
However, other symptoms can also occur that do not immediately indicate a disease of the lungs.
These include
bone pain
, unexplained
episodes of fever
and
swollen lymph nodes, as well as
a general
feeling of weakness, a drop in performance
and
exhaustion.
These are indications of cancer in general, not just lung cancer.
It is therefore important to pay attention to such changes in one's own body and to be aware of the first signs of cancer.
If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer, as the
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
says .
The symptoms can also be caused by other diseases, such as chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.
What pain does lung cancer cause?
What other complaints are there?
Since lung tumors can cause chest pain, such symptoms should be examined by a doctor - especially in smokers, as they have an increased risk of lung cancer.
If the cancer is already in an advanced stage and metastases have already formed, these can also cause symptoms.
According to the
DKFZ
, those affected often notice something about their illness for the first time - these are, so to speak, the first indications that something is wrong.
What is the pain of lung cancer?
The
pain that
occurs with lung cancer can vary greatly in type and severity.
But it doesn't necessarily have to be painful.
In addition to persistent, pressing
pain
in the chest area,
pain
in the back
can also occur if the tumor spreads towards the spine.
When bones are attacked by cancer cells,
joint and bone pain
can occur.
With metastases in the bones, patients often have pain, which, according to the
DKFZ
, is often misinterpreted as arthrosis.
If the liver is affected, the result is weight loss, weakness and fatigue as rather unspecific symptoms.
Metastases in the brain can cause neurological symptoms, such as paralysis, headaches, but also confusion, seizures or personality changes.
Increased risk of lung cancer from smoking in men and women
Experts agree: Smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer.
According to the
DKFZ
, experts assume that
nine out of ten affected men have lung cancer because they smoke
or have smoked once.
For women it is six out of ten.
Her advice is therefore: If you want to prevent lung cancer, you should not smoke or quit smoking as soon as possible.
Already with the first day without cigarettes you stop inhaling harmful substances.
And the longer the smoke-free period, the more clearly the personal risk of developing lung cancer decreases.
Non-smokers can also develop lung cancer – genes play a role
But non-smokers can also develop lung cancer.
Genes also play a role in the development of lung tumors.
Although smoking remains the main risk factor, both risk factors appear to act independently of each other, according to a British study published in the
British Journal of Cancer
.
The study also calculated that quitting smoking could have prevented more than three quarters of the lung cancers that occurred during the study period.
Knowing and avoiding risk factors for cancer – because medical screening is not yet possible
There is currently no regulated medical screening for the early detection of lung cancer.
According to the
DKFZ
, however, experts are currently examining whether heavy smokers can be offered early detection.
Low-radiation computer tomography could be used as a method.
A new urine and blood test should now even make it possible to identify 14 different types of cancer easily, quickly and cheaply.
So that ideally such an examination does not have to be carried out in the first place, doctors generally recommend a healthy lifestyle, as this has been shown to reduce the general risk of cancer - including that of lung cancer.
Whether you are a non-smoker or a smoker, it is important to keep the risk of cancer as low as possible.
If possible, a healthy, balanced diet and sufficient exercise should be ensured.
This also reduces the risk of other diseases such as heart attack, diabetes or stroke.
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