Crucial Facts About Lung Cancer and Smoking

Lung cancer can be a highly malignant tumor, but a reduction of cases is possible with removing the risk factor of smoking. The following information provides an introduction to the extent of the problem and why prevention is vital.

Lung cancer can be a highly malignant tumor, but a reduction of cases is possible with removing the risk factor of smoking. The following information provides an introduction to the extent of the problem and why prevention is vital.

1) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths in 2002 in the United States.

2) About 100,000 men and 80,000 women were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002.

3) About 90,000 men and 67,000 women died from lung cancer in 2002.

4) The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer patients is only 15%, whereas the survival rates for prostate, breast and colorectal cancer are much higher.

5) About 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and about 80% in women are related to smoking.

6) About 20% of the women in the United States smoke, and this increases the risk of having a miscarriage or stillbirth. It has been estimated if women quit smoking during pregnancy about 4000 newborns may not die yearly.

7) About 3000 lung cancer deaths each year are attributable to passive smoke inhalation or second hand smoke from another person. This can also be responsible for bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory ailments in infants.

8) Smokers increase their risk for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Those who smoke and also have diabetes are more likely to have a peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage causing numbness or tingling of the hands and feet.

9) About 90% of new smokers are under 20 years of age. There are 6000 new smokers less than 18 years old each day and about half of these will become regular smokers. If both parents smoke, a teenager is twice as likely to smoke than a teenager whose parents do not smoke.

10) Congress appropriated only 2.1 million dollars for lung cancer research in 2005. This may suggest that the emphasis must be placed on a no smoking campaign because so many of the cases are related to smoking. Some people may smoke because it is the stylish thing to do, is sociable, calms nervousness or curbs appetite. To modify behavior so that the desire to smoke is extinguished is crucial to getting a reduction in lung cancer deaths.

The facts speak for themselves. It is best not to begin smoking. If someone is already smoking, quitting should be the objective. Professional help can assist those who are genuinely serious about trying to improve their health by quitting. If a smoker cannot quit completely, smoking less may help, but quitting altogether is the preferred course of action.

Reference: http://www.yoolk.my/Health/

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