What are the causes of lung cancer?
January 8, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Andrea Schlosser
Dear Doctor,
my name is Sofia Schulze and I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. This news has greatly worried me and I am thinking about the causes of this disease. I do not smoke, have never smoked, and am very conscious of my health. Therefore, I do not understand why I have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
I have heard that smoking is one of the most common causes of lung cancer, but I can rule that out in my case. Are there other risk factors that can lead to this disease? There are no cases of lung cancer in my family, so I am confused as to why I am affected by it.
Additionally, I would like to learn more about the treatment options and prognosis for lung cancer. What therapies are available to me and what is the success rate? Are there ways to detect the disease early and improve the chances of recovery?
I am very concerned about my future and would like to better understand the causes of lung cancer in order to cope with my illness. I would be very grateful for your help and information.
Sincerely,
Sofia Schulze
Dear Sofia Schulze,
I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and are feeling worried about it. It is understandable that you are concerned about the causes, especially if you have never smoked and generally take care of your health. Smoking is indeed the most common cause of lung cancer, but there are also other risk factors that can lead to this condition. These include environmental pollution, occupational exposure to substances like asbestos or radon, genetic predisposition, as well as certain lung diseases like COPD.
It is important to understand that lung cancer can also occur in non-smokers in some cases, and it is not always easy to identify the exact cause. Even if there is no history of lung cancer in your family, it does not necessarily mean that your condition could not be genetically related. There may also be other factors that increase the risk of lung cancer, such as a history of pneumonia or exposure to pollutants in the workplace.
As for the treatment options and prognosis for lung cancer, these depend on various factors such as the stage of the disease, the type of tumor, the general health of the patient, and other individual factors. Treatment options may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies, or immunotherapies. The success rate of treatment also depends on how early the disease is detected. The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of recovery usually are.
There are various ways to detect lung cancer early, including screening tests like low-dose CT scans that can be used in high-risk patients to detect lung changes early. It is important to undergo regular check-ups and be aware of warning signs such as persistent cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or recurrent pneumonia.
I understand that you are concerned about your future and want to understand more about the causes of lung cancer. Please consult an oncologist or specialist who can assess your individual situation and provide you with the best possible treatment and care. It is important to educate yourself comprehensively and seek support from medical professionals and other affected individuals to cope with your condition.
I wish you all the best on your journey to recovery and am here to answer any further questions and support you.
Best regards,
Andrea Schlosser
