by Mesothelioma Cancer Editor

Lungs are one of the biggest organs in a human body. Separated into two sections, the left and right lungs, they perform Themost important task for life – breaking down the air we breathe to give every human the needed oxygen for survival. So what is lung cancer? Cells throughout our body, including our lungs, go through the cyclic process of life and death. As the old cells complete their life cycles new one are formed to take their place. In the case of lung cancer, cells keep producing new cells when the other cells are perfectly normal, which means there is an excess of cells in a particular area of the lung. The new cells are there as an excess, as they have no function in the lungs till the old ones die. Because of this there is an influx of cells in the lung, which cause a mass of cells, better known as a tumor, to be formed. Tumors can be of two kinds – benign or malignant. While benign tumors are present in the body as a mass but cause no harm as they do not keep dividing nor do they spread, malignant tumors are what can cause harm in a person’s body as these cells do not stop dividing and producing new cells. These malignant tumors may pose more harm if a few cells break free from the mass and spread to other parts of the body, mostly through the lymphatic system.

Tobacco use is said to be one of the biggest reasons for lung cancer. The worst part is that you do not have to be a smoker yourself to be affected. Tobacco use is said to be one of the biggest reasons for lung cancer. The worst part is that you do not have to be a smoker yourself to be affected. Second hand smoking can have the same effect. Because of this being exposed to tobacco users in any way, whether in your office, in a favorite restaurant or at home from a parent or partner, increases your chances of getting lung cancer as much as for the smokers themselves. Tobacco smoke has carcinogens, chemicals that cause cells to start dividing irregularly and out of ‘tune’, thereby producing an excess number of cells in a particular part of the body. There have been many lawsuits against tobacco companies as they are not said to have made the impact tobacco has in the causation of lung cancer clear for the public. It is now the law that every cigarette packet should have a warning in bold letters mentioning how ‘tobacco is harmful to health’.

Treatment for lung cancer can vary according to how far the tumor has spread, or how much of an area is affected. Doctor’s would prescribe one or a combination of the following few as treatment methods, depending on each individual. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the most common treatments for lung cancer. But always remember, the fastest cure to lung cancer, or any other disease, is a positive frame of mind!