Thursday, May 28, 2009

What are the chances and signs of lung cancer

What are the chances and signs of lung cancer?
I want to know because my mom smoked in the house with me since i was like 3! I try not to worry but when I go to school they say I smell like smoke! I tell my mom to stop but she doesn't!! SO can anyone tel me any sign's or chances(percent) of me having lung cancer? P.S Im 11 and im 4'9 if that help and yes, 4'9 means height
Cancer - 5 Answers
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1 :
my grandfather has had lung cancer. im sure deep down your mother feels bad for not being able to stop smoking, maybe you cud ask her to at leas just do it outside or by an open window only... to cover the smell i would NEVER wear my clothes more then once, EVER... it just made the smell worse. dont worry about lung cancer, if your mom goes to the doctor shes fine. thats none of your bisiness.
2 :
The chances of you having lung cancer is very small. Although she's been smoking around you for awhile, you are only inhaling passive smoke and lung cancer of someone your age is quite rare. If everyone developed lung cancer from being around a smoking family member for awhile, it would be much more of an epidemic than it already is. Signs include constant cough, chest pain, wheezing, coughing up blood and shortness of breath.
3 :
Honey, I am sure I am older than your mom and I am a smoker. When I found out that passive smoke was not good for the kids, I quit doing it around them. When I was your age I remember our family doctor making house calls to see us when we were sick - yes it's true, they really did make house calls! Well, I remember my father and the doctor BOTH smoking in my bedroom while they discussed my illness! They just didn't know back then the harm that smoking does. What I am getting at, is - if second hand smoke was THAT dangerous there would have been many millions more lung cancer sufferers from my generation. I am not saying that smoking around you is okay. What I am saying is you needn't worry too much about yourself getting lung cancer. Just never start smoking yourself because it IS terribly difficult to stop once you start! (Besides - it stinks! It smells up your hair and clothes and the boys hate kissing a cigarette smelling mouth!)
4 :
Peter, I remember when doctors did house calls! Anyways, not only you at risk, there is now studies of 3rd hand smoke now. My grandfather died of emphasema from smoking. My mother is now dealing with lung cancer. We just found out this last week, and she felt fine and is a stage 3. She has always smoked. Growing up I hated being around anyone who smoked. I spent alot of time in my room and wouldn't allow anyone in my room. Your mom is going to have to want to stop. Telling her is not going to get her to stop. It think some people don't quit til they get a health scare. Does my mom smoke now, no, but its kind of late for that. When I would go to visit her, she smoked outside, I didn't not go out with her.
5 :
You probably dont have lung cancer now, but if this keeps up when you get older you could end up with it, just like anyone exposed to second hand smoke. We all have to take care of ourselves and not breathing anyone elses cigarette smoke is a start. You shouldnt have to breath the smoke your mother tosses around the house.. unfortunately she doesnt see it that way. There is a reason the government cracked down on smoking in public places.... they didnt do it because they thought smoking was good for people... and the government is losing billions of dollars when people stop smoking so that should tell us something. I think you should get pamphlets and put them around the house... get those ones where they show the inside of a cancer lung from smoking... then tell her it stinks.... complain incessantly..... tell her people talk about the smell on your cloths... make her feel bad.... research second hand smoke on the net and print out the articles..... make her life hell for smoking... and tell her if you get sick its her fault.....you shouldnt have to live this way.. if she wants to smoke, she can stand outside ....... that is what a responsible parent would do....... well.. responsible parents who have children wouldnt smoke in the first place..... they should set good examples and show they care by taking care of themselves.... too many kids end up without parent/s at young ages due to these kinds of things. good luck

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

What is the survival rate of someone having lung cancer

What is the survival rate of someone having lung cancer?
My father in law recently was diagnoised with lung cancer. He has two growths in his lower left lung. The size is small, one is 7 mm and the other is 12 mm. he hasn't smoked in 5 yrs or more. What are his chances of full recovery?
Cancer - 10 Answers
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1 :
i dont know the statistics sorry, i thought it was a death sentence tho....
2 :
Lung cancer has a poor survival rate I'm sorry to say. Quite often it's only found in advanced stages unless someone manages to have an x-ray for something non-related and they find it then. Treatment is aggressive, but if there is already 2 growths he's had this for years and never knew it.
3 :
http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/lung this is a good site for information on lung cancer.
4 :
It really depends upon the staging of his cancer. If it is at it's very earliest stage 1 (it is rare to catch it that early) he has the best chance. Stage 4 would mean it has spread to other organs and his chance of surviving the next 5 years are less. The fact that he has 2 tumors tell me that he is not stage1. Treatments are improving for lung cancer; there is more hope than in the past. Work with his doctor.
5 :
No one can tell, too many factors at play. My father was diagnosed December 1989 and life expectancy six months. He lived for two years! Yet his Brother, my Uncle diagnosed in March, the operated dead early August. Much has to do with the type, spread lymph nodes, other organs, his attitude is he depressed willing to fight, have they offered surgery or radiotherapy. However do not give up, it is important that you do not give up, because he might just prove you wrong.
6 :
If it is found early and removed, the recovery chances are greatly increased. If it progresses to stage 3 or 4, chances are very slim. If he just has two small spots, he needs to have them removed immediately.
7 :
It depends on whether or not the cancer is operable or not.I had a 2 inch tumor on my right lung and it was removed.I am alive 15 months later and the cancer has not returned.There is always hope if discovered and treated early.
8 :
Sadly the survival rates of lung cancer are slim, however the growth can be controlled by the use of chemotherapy drugs, and radiotherapy. Best Wishes.
9 :
Unfortunately, his prognosis is poor. A person can have a small tumor in their lung and a giagantic one on their liver or brain. He will definately be staged if he is not already. They do pet scans to look for tumors in other parts of the body. They will do a bone scan to check for lesions in his bony skeleton which are suspicious for malignancy and they may want to scan and re scan his brain for lesions. If you smoke for 20 yrs and then stop, it does not lessen your chances of getting lung cancer. You already did the damage. It does lessen the likelihood you will die from emphysema. I hate to be the bad news bear, but your father in law is in trouble and he already knows it. The 5 yr survival rate is less than I believe 5%.
10 :
If they catch it early and/or can do surgery you can survive. My husband had no symptoms thought he hurt his back at work. He was diagnosed with lung cancer stage 4 He went thru radiation, chemo, gamma knife procedure. He also took a drug called tarceva it has had very good results. It is very expensive ask his doctor about tarceva. He passed 78 days after his diagnosis. Good luck I hope everything works out all right.

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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Question about lung cancer related to secondhand smoke

Question about lung cancer related to secondhand smoke?
If someone is exposed to secondhand smoke often and doesn't have lung cancer, but starts to show early signs of it, then will it save them if they cut off/reduce their exposure to secondhand smoke before the cancer actually develops? Or is it too late?
Cancer - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Really??? Well ok YES it will help!
2 :
im not sure but i think it would be to late
3 :
lung cancer is pretty rare from shs. But lets say it happened no cutting of hair rele won't make a difference
4 :
A doctor can give you treatment to prevent the cancer from growing/spreading out. Make sure you are sure you have it, get diagnosed.
5 :
No exposure to second-hand smoke can result in lung cancer. I have a GF with that issue now. You have access to the Internet, research it. Nothing profitable comes out of hypothetical if-then questions w/o a purpose. Symptom 1st present is usually shortness of breathe but that can be contributed to so many conditions that it alone is not definitive. If you have the power to change your environment to afford any illness, why wait for symptoms to take an action. A prudent person exercises preventive measures because we live in an environment of multiple threat & risks.
6 :
There are no early signs of lung cancer. That's why it is so deadly. By the time a person has symptoms, it is generally too far gone for curative treatment. Reduce your exposure now. Don't risk it. No matter how much you might think you realize that cancer sucks, it really sucks far more than that.

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Saturday, May 16, 2009

Is a nose bleed common when you have lung cancer

Is a nose bleed common when you have lung cancer?
My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer last week and he is having his left lung removed this Friday. Today his nose started to bleed. It wasn't bad but I was wondering if that's normal and/or something to worry about. Tomorrow he has a doctor's appointment but I just thought I would ask. I'm just not familiar with any of this. I just know it's all respiratory so I wanted to be sure.
Cancer - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I'm so sorry. I'm pretty sure that it's fine, nut make sure that you ask the doctor. To be honest, you can't get a perfect answer here.
2 :
a nose bleed has nothing to do with lung cancer. if it's cold by you, it could be because the house is dry from the heat being on. i hope all goes well with your dad. peace

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

How bad of a cough do lung cancer patients have

How bad of a cough do lung cancer patients have?
Is it a terrible cough, constant, or just a cough here and there? I have never smoked before i'm only 15 and I have been to the doctors twice one said I had allergies one said I had Bronchitis neither took a x-ray and I still have this small-mild dry cough. White phlegm no blood or fever nothing other than a cough. Breathing is fine. Could I have lung cancer? I worry too much (because I'm a hypochondriac)
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
No, you don't have lung cancer, if you did you would have many other symptoms. Maybe you do have allergies or bronchitis, if the cough doesn't go away see a doctor again and ask them to do an x-ray.
2 :
Nanjing Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University Department of Respiratory Medicine, a 16-year-old recent admissions patients with lung cancer, cough 3 months and found it was already late. It is understood that the young man love to play, the body has been very strong. 3 months ago he appeared inexplicable cough, occasional cough, but no hemoptysis. Family that a child suffering from bronchitis, small clinic on the ground with the point of medicine to take, but has not seen improvement. A few days ago, accompanied by his family, to the Nanjing Zhongshan University hospital, checked and found the child turned out to be advanced lung cancer, surgical treatment lost opportunity. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, said Yong Lin, MD, director of the Division monthly admissions 45 cases of lung cancer patients can have a lot of people do not have bad habits like smoking, but occasionally a little dry cough has been no attention to the hospital when have lost the best timing of surgery. Doctors advise, in the event a dry cough, sputum or cough in the blood and other symptoms, with antibiotic treatment ineffective, it is recommended to immediately go to hospital or long delay for several months, has died, so as not to delay treatment. Do not blindly believe that only smoking and drinking people will suffer from lung cancer, smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, exposure to passive smoking, environmental pollution, genetic mutations and other factors may cause lung cancer. (Cuiyu Yan Bi Xiaohong)
3 :
Lung cancer is very rare in teenagers - especially if you do not smoke. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer (and most cancers for that matter...) so best way to avoid cancer is to avoid smoking! I have treated a 17 year old male non-smoker for advanced lung cancer - but it is very rare to see this, and it was thought to be due to genetics (3 men in his family had died of lung cancer). He died age 18. Unfortunately, most people diagnosed with lung cancer do not find it until it is too late, and it has already spread to other parts of the body (normally the brain...first sign dizziness or loss of balance and headaches). Most lung cancer patients (90% or more) will die from the disease, and normally within a few months to years dependiing on how advanced it is when found. Most of my patients have presented with "a cough" which they put down to being just a cold or asthma - but the cough just would not disappear. It is an unfortunate statistic that we have a huge rise in lung cancer rates in spring - because people who develop a cough in winter don't bother getting it checked up thinking it is a winter cold - but come spring, when the cough is still there, they find the cancer. Some describe it as a nagging "tickle" that just will not go away, some as asthma, most think it was a cold. Some actually have no cough, no chest pain, no signs at all - they are picked up through routine check-ups with their doctor, or because they have a persistant headache. They have a CT scan of the brain - and find a tumour. The doctors then run further tests to determine the "primary" cancer site, and first of all will check the lungs. At your age though, you are VERY unlikely to have lung cancer. First thing I would think of is Broncitis or allergies as you have mentioned. Things to think about...does it get worse when you are exposed to cold air? Is it seasonal (ie do you get coughs every year in spring or winter?) Is there asthma in the family? Do you also get skin rashes...as this could be sign of either allergies or asthma (eczma and asthma are connected). Try not to worry too much about health things...best you can do is NOT smoke (ever...), maintain a healthy weight, exercise and most of all enjoy life. One thing I have learnt from my job is never take life for granted! One patient in particular taught me this. At age 30 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fought it all the way - had surgery and threw everything at it. One day she came in to see the doctor - and was so elated to be told she was cancer free. She crossed the street to her car and wham...hit by a car and killed. You can spend your entire life worrying and fretting about every cough and bump - and still die crossing the street...or enjoy what life you have and live every moment of it. This may sound morbid, but the reality is none of us know how long we have, and therefore treat every day as if it is your last.

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Friday, May 8, 2009

What is the life expectancy of a stage 4 lung cancer patient

What is the life expectancy of a stage 4 lung cancer patient?
My mom was diagnosed this past week with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma lung cancer. We do not know if it is small cell or non-small cell. I have been reading like crazy and found most passed from non-small cell within 3-6 months. but is there any change in life expectancy with small cell?? Any and all answers would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Cancer - 1 Answers
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1 :
Hi Friend, I am sorry to note that your mom has a bad diagnosis. Life expectancy depends on comorbidities, general state of health and quality/quantity of health received. It is usually difficult to predict life expectancy. However, your mom's doctor will be able to give you a better idea. Now that you know your mom has a terminal disease it is important that you spend quality time with her. Good luck. I do hope you have other family members who can support you and your mom.

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Monday, May 4, 2009

Can a person smoke their entire lives and avoid Lung Cancer

Can a person smoke their entire lives and avoid Lung Cancer?
I know the longer you smoke the greater your risk but in theory is it possible? I've been worrying about this excessively for the last two weeks for various reasons and its gotten to the stage where I've convinced myself in my mind that EVERY smoker will get lung cancer. Thanks.
Cancer - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
yes.
2 :
Some people smoke all their lives and never get cancer from it but some people only smoke once and get cancer.
3 :
i dont think every smoker will get cancer i dont smoke but my mum is 56 and has smoked since she was 16,she does not have cancer but she has been diagnosed with COPD which is a permanent lung disease so i do think that even if you avoid cancer,you are still at risk from other health problems caused by smoking however some people could smoke for years without any health worries,everyone is different.my mum stopped smoking 2 years ago but it was too late as the damage ti her lungs has already been done and can not be undone just managed with medication.
4 :
The law of averages says yes.
5 :
Yes. Smoking places an individual at a greater RISK of getting lung cancer . . which is far different than saying that every person who smokes will get lung cancer. We know for a fact that this is not true. Not everyone who has been a life long smoker will get lung cancer and not everyone who has lung cancer ever smoked or was ever even exposed to second hand smoke. The truth is that we do not know why one person will get cancer while someone else will not.
6 :
In short - yes.....you can smoke your whole life and still NOT get lung cancer. It IS possible, and NO, not EVERY smoker will get lung cancer. People don't always realise it takes about 8 different "assaults" on a particular cell, to stuff up the part of it that tells it when to replicate, and when to stop - even when to die.....cells have termination signals when the cell is no longer functioning or needed - for example red blood cells only live for about 120 days (but more new ones are also constantly being made). But when a cell has been bombarded by carcinogenic (cancer-causing) things a number of times and usually over a long period, a cell can then switch into overdrive, start multiplying out of control - and there you have a cancer. So if a smoker lived a reasonably healthy life, that would help them avoid cancer. BUT....nobody knows for sure. You could be the fittest, most healthy person on the planet, except you smoke, and you die at 40 from lung cancer. Or you could smoke 3 packs a day, drink alcohol like water and live a life full of "things that are bad for you" (!!)....and live to be 110.
7 :
Only in theory maybe... Dont forget that once u get lung cancer- all the theory goes out of the window and u r face to face with he killer...

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Friday, May 1, 2009

What prognosis doea a patient have with copd and lung cancer

What prognosis doea a patient have with copd and lung cancer?
My husband has had copd for 4 years and now has lung cancer and also has traveled to the lymph node, what prognosis will he have with no treatment?
Cancer - 4 Answers
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1 :
I'm sorry, it's not good.
2 :
with treatment, he has a fighting chance.. without, the prognosis would be very grim
3 :
Not sure what his reason is for not wanting treatment, however if he just choses not to do chemo or radiation...the standard rx given by docs.....please explore alternative treatments. There are many. Doctors arent' trained or paid to advise of them. Are they proven? No. Do they work? Yes, sometimes, just like traditional. Not proven because there is no Pharmaceutical company paying for a "study". Also consider diet. The macrobiotic diet has been helpful to many with cancer. He must have a will to live and beleive he'll surive. He must be an advocate for himself and research all his options!!!! See sources below and make an educated , prayerful decision! Ozone therapy, nutrion....etc!
4 :
Ma'am I hate to say this but Lung cancer is quite bad esp in the stage you are describing. With COPD its worse primarily because an already compromised lung cant compensate for cancer and treatment related further lung damage.

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