Sandy Hutchens Cancer Prevention

Less cash is spent on lung cancer research every year than on other cancers.Three years ago, the National Cancer Institute figured that it spent only it spent only $1,500 per lung cancer death compared to $14,000 for each breast cancer death, $11,000 for each prostate cancer death, and $5,000 for each colon or rectal cancer. Lung cancer may not be as high profile in terms of funding, but it is extremely dangerous, and should be treated as such.

Signs and Symptoms: An individual experiencing lung cancer, will experience shortness of breath, chronic coughing up blood, wheezing similar to asthma or bronchitis, pain in the chest, severe tiredness, losing weight, hoarse throat, or swallowing impediments.

Causes: The main causes of lung cancer are carcinogens, radiation, and viruses.

Smoking – Cigarettes contain at least fifty carcinogens,released whenever an individual inhales. Obviously not everyone who smokes will get lung cancer. However the risk becomes much higher. The scariest discovery is that people can acquire lung cancer from overexposure to cigarettes. Currently, over 10% of people with lung cancer haven’t even smoked a cigarette.

Radon Gas – The US Environmental Protection Agency, estimates that one in 15 homes have radon levels above the recommended levels. This invisible gas cannot be smelled and is created through the breakdown of radioactive radium or uranium.

Asbestos – This is a carcinogen that can cause many types of cancers. Only 3% of deaths from lung cancer are caused by asbestos, yet it is a very dangerous material.

Treatments: Patients having lung cancer have many treatment options. If the cancer is found earlier, surgery can be tried to remove the tumor. However, if the cancer has metastasized, the patient can get chemotherapy. With these two types of treatment, scientists and doctors have developed adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, interventional radiology, and targeted therapy.

2009 Uniting Against Lung Cancer Video

At least one-third of all cancer cases can be prevented. Sandy Hutchens Cancer Prevention offers the most efficient strategy for the prevention of cancer.

Tobacco

This is the single largest preventable cause of cancer in the world. It causes over 80% of all lung cancer deaths, and 30% of all cancer deaths in the third world. This includes deaths from cancer of the oral cavity, larynx, oesophagus and stomach. A comprehensive program which would include a stop to tobacco advertising, increased taxation on tobacco products, and stop smoking programs can greatly reduce the use of tobacco in many countries. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control adopted measures in May 2003, aims to curb tobacco-related deaths and disease. We are looking for updates on their progress.

Diet

Changes in diet is another critical action to take to prevent and control cancer. There are know links between obesity and many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Diets high in fruits and vegetables have a preventative effect against a great number of cancers. On the other hand, consumption of red and preserved meat is connected with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.Healthy eating habits which ameliorate the development of diet-related cancers have the added benefit of lowering the potential for cardiovascular disease.

Exercise

Regular physical exercise along with a healthy body weight and healthy diet, will greatly reduce the chances of cancer. National policies and programs have been implemented in some countries which raise awareness and reduce exposure to cancer risk factors. To ensure that citizens are provided with the information and the tools they need to adopt healthy lifestyles governments may play a large role.

Preventing Disease

Infectious agents are responsible for almost one quarter of cancer deaths in the third world and 1 in 20 in industrialized countries. Viral hepatitis B and C can cause liver cancer; human papilloma virus infection can cause cancer of the cervix; the bacterium Helicobacter pylori can greatly increase the risk of stomach cancer. In some countries the parasitic infection schistosomiasis increases the risk of bladder cancer and in other countries the liver fluke increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma to do with the bile ducts system. Preventive measures include vaccination and prevention of infection and infestation.

Radiation

Exposure to radiation is well known to cause some cancers. Solar ultraviolet radiation can raise the risk of all types of skin cancer. Avoiding excessive exposure, use of sunscreen and protective clothing are important preventive activities.

Asbestos

On the subject of home and workplace safety, asbestos must be looked at because it can cause lung cancer. Also aniline dyes have been linked to bladder cancer. Benzene has been linked to leukemia. The prevention of certain occupational and environmental exposure to these and other chemicals are important steps to take in preventing cancer.

Smile For Cancer Prevention video