Stories
Lung Cancer: Incurable? Early Detection & Prevention, Expert Doctor Reveals All.
- •Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan's passing at 56 from lung cancer sparks debate; the belief that it's incurable is false.
- •Dr. Sriniket Mohan Raghavan of Max Healthcare states tobacco is the main cause of lung cancer, but pollution, chemicals, and old lung scars also contribute.
- •The danger of cancer depends on its spread; Stage 4 involves cancer cells spreading to other organs like the brain or bones.
- •Early-stage lung cancer can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy, but a 100% cure guarantee is not possible at any stage.
- •Early detection of lung cancer is challenging, but persistent cough, coughing blood, shortness of breath, and changes in body rhythm warrant medical attention.
- •To prevent lung cancer, avoid smoking and tobacco, minimize exposure to pollution and harmful chemicals, maintain a balanced diet, and manage stress.
Key Questions Answered
The major cause of lung cancer is tobacco or tobacco-related products, with the majority of cases being linked to tobacco use. However, other causes include dangerous pollution, carcinogenic chemicals, asbestos, radon gas, old lung scars from conditions like TB, and family history.
If lung cancer is detected in the early stages when cells are restricted to a small part of the lungs, the affected part can be surgically removed and followed by chemotherapy or radiation. However, doctors note that cancer has a high probability of recurrence, so a 100% guarantee of a complete cure cannot be given at any stage.
Early detection of lung cancer is difficult, but initial signs can include occasional coughing or bleeding while coughing. As the cancer progresses, symptoms may develop into a persistent cough, blood in the cough, shortness of breath during exertion, bone pain, headaches, and fainting if it spreads to the brain.
