Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Hong Kong, causing nearly 3,900 deaths in 2017. Lung cancer is mainly classified into two types based on the size of cancer cells: "small cell lung cancer" and "non-small cell lung cancer". Small cell lung cancer is usually caused by smoking. It typically starts from the bronchi and then quickly grows and spreads to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes. Non-small cell lung cancer includes the most common types such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Common symptoms include persistent cough, blood in sputum, chest pain, loss of appetite, unexplained fatigue, etc.
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Hong Kong, with nearly 5,200 new cases in 2017, a 21% increase compared to ten years ago. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women, with an obvious upward trend. Therefore, both men and women should not take it lightly. Apart from a family history of lung cancer, smoking is currently a known risk factor, and people who are frequently exposed to second-hand smoke also have a higher risk. Lung cancer is also related to genetic mutations, air pollution, and age. There is also a gradually growing trend of lung cancer among young people and women without a smoking habit.
How to screen and diagnose lung cancer?
Early symptoms of lung cancer are not obvious, and two-thirds of lung cancer patients are only diagnosed with cancer when it has reached stage 3 or 4. Many patients mistake lung cancer symptoms for coughing due to common colds or discomfort in the trachea caused by smoking. Patients only seek medical attention when the cancer cells spread to other organs and cause obvious symptoms such as bone pain or headache. High-risk individuals are advised to undergo regular check-ups to protect their health.
To screen and diagnose lung cancer, doctors generally start with less invasive tests, including X-ray, CT or PET scans. If the result is still unclear, doctors will often recommend surgical procedures such as bronchoscopy and lung biopsy to extract a part or all of the tumor tissue for laboratory tests and diagnosis.
In fact, if patients are diagnosed early and receive appropriate treatment promptly, their 5-year survival rate can be greatly increased. This shows the importance of regular physical examinations. If you suspect that you have lung cancer, you should seek professional advice from a doctor immediately.
The above information is for reference only. If you have any medical questions, please consult your doctor.
