Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women. The most common risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, due to the harmful carcinogens (car-sin-ah-jens) found in tobacco smoke. This inhaled smoke damages the cells that line the bronchi (brawn-ki), or air passages, a process many doctors believe represents an early stage of cancer. The first symptoms are often coughing or wheezing. Blood-stained mucus may also be expelled. Other symptoms may include weight loss and chest or back pain, and in the more advanced stages, hoarseness and shortness of breath. The best way to avoid lung cancer is to not smoke, since 85% of lung cancer is associated with tobacco use. Other risk factors include exposure to industrial substances, such as asbestos and coal gas, and the involuntary breathing in of tobacco smoke by non-smokers. The primary treatments for lung cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, depending on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, and the stage of the disease. For more information about lung cancer, contact your health care provider.
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