Lung cancer in the Philippines continues to be prevalent, becoming the country’s second most common cancer type. Smoking, the leading cause of the cancer, is widespread among locals, immensely contributing to the rising number of lung cancer patients.
Statistics of lung cancer in the Philippines state theneed for stronger cancer awareness and smoking-prevention programs. If you are an individual with aggressive smoking activity, you are at risk of developing the following cancer types:
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Typically, SCLC occurs in the central part of the lung and grows rapidly. It is aggressive and tends to spread to other parts of the body early on. The main risk factors for SCLC include smoking and exposure to radon gas.
Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, and a persistent cough. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. The prognosis for SCLC is poor, as the cancer spreads quickly and is often advanced at the time of diagnosis.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
NSCLC occurs in the outer part of the lung and tends to grow more slowly than SCLC. This type of lung cancer shares the same risk factors as SCLC but includes exposure to air pollution. Symptoms and treatments of NSCLC are the same as SCLC as well. The prognosis for NSCLC is better than that of SCLC.
Non-small cell lung cancer can be differentiated into three subcategories, mainly:
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of NSCLC, and it tends to occur in the outer part of the lung. It is typically found in people who have never smoked and is often associated with environmental toxins such as radon gas exposure. Adenocarcinoma has the most favorable prognosis among lung cancer types.
Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in the central part of the lung and is closely associated with smoking. At the same time, large cell carcinoma can occur anywhere in the lung and tends to grow and spread quickly. The prognosis of the two can depend according to the stage of the cancer, but it is generally worse than other types.
Lung cancer is a disease that can take many forms and affect patients differently. Understanding the unique symptoms, causes, and risks of the types of lung cancer can help people identify their potential disease early on. Learn everything you need to know about lung cancer through this infographic by Hope From Within, a healthcare assistance provider in the Philippines.
