Can you name the leading cause of cancer deaths among women?
It’s not breast cancer, as you may think. Rather, lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in U.S. women. In fact, lung cancer causes more deaths than colon, breast and pancreatic cancer combined. While the disease is on the decline among men, diagnosis and death rates in women continue to rise. Consider these important facts:
1. You can get lung cancer even if you’ve never smoked.
In a recent American Lung Association survey, half of the women said they weren’t concerned about lung cancer since they had successfully quit smoking or never smoked at all. Yes, smoking is the biggest risk factor. But 1 in 10 cases occur in people who have never smoked a day in their lives, and as many as 24,000 of them die every year. Female nonsmokers stand a greater risk than males who don’t smoke.
2. It can strike at any age.
In the same survey, many women in their 20s and early 30s said they were too young to be concerned about lung cancer. While the disease does most often strike between ages 55 and 65, there’s no lower limit on new diagnoses. Women younger than age 45 are more likely than men of the same age to develop the disease.
3. Women with lung cancer often face a grim prognosis.
Lung cancer that spreads to the rest of the body is difficult to control. Sadly, less than half of women whose doctors tell them they have lung cancer are alive one year later. One reason lung cancer survival rates are so low is because you can have it for a long time without knowing it. Lung cancer can cause a chronic cough, hoarse voice, shortness of breath, constant chest pain, and coughing up blood.
4. You might need to ask your doctor about screening.
For some people at high risk, a CT (computed tomography) scan may detect lung cancer early and reduce their risk of dying from lung cancer. If you are a current or former smoker or you have symptoms of lung cancer, ask your doctor having a screening test.
5. Your healthcare team can guide you through treatment.
Statistics may be sobering, but they aren’t definite. About 400,000 people are currently living with lung cancer. Every day, healthcare providers help women fight this disease. Surgeons and oncologists may suggest operations, medications, radiation, or a combination therapy. They may also help you enroll in a clinical trial, where you can get access to cutting-edge new treatments for the disease.
No comments:
Post a Comment