Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs. While normal lung tissue cells reproduce and develop into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and never grow into normal lung tissue. Lumps of cancer cells (tumors) then form and disrupt the lung, making it difficult to function properly.

More than 87% of lung cancers are smoking related. However, not all smokers develop lung cancer. Quitting smoking reduces an individual's risk significantly, although former smokers remain at greater risk for lung cancer than people who never smoked. Exposure to other carcinogens such as asbestos and radon gas also increases an individual's risk, especially when combined with cigarette or cigar smoking. (www.lungcancer.org).

More Americans die each year from lung cancer than from breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined. Approximately 173,770 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in 20043, accounting for 13% of all new cancer cases. An estimated 160,440 Americans died in 2004 from lung cancer, accounting for 28% of all cancer deaths. Annually, lung cancer kills more men than prostate cancer and more women than breast cancer. An estimated 68,510 women in the U.S. will die this year from lung cancer, and an estimated 91,930 men in the U.S. will die this year from lung cancer. (www.lungcancer.org).

There are two different types of lung cancer, which include