Lung Cancer Survivability and Its Facts
Article by Willard Derama
Opposite of what most may believe, other than aggravating the conditions, there is no association between smoking and mesothelioma. But not to underrate the effects of smoking since it glaringly increase the risk of other asbestos motivated cancers.
As soon as relatives and friends are informed about the situation of a cancer victim, it then becomes a major concern to them. However, due to the sensitivity of such situation, they tend not to ask the cancer patient straight to the point. Surely, they’ll find instant answers on the internet. So, let’s look at some of the direct facts about lung cancer. The answers will help you adjust to your relative or friend’s condition and help you adopt an appropriately compassionate attitude.
Lung cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to detect. Your lungs have no pain nerves. Indeed it is very hard to tell whether the symptoms you are experiencing root to lung cancer, unless major symptoms such as hemoptysis, coughing out of blood, occur. X-rays of lungs may show a spot that does not appear to be cancerous, only to become so later on. Late detection of lung cancer makes it even more drastic to the affected person. This means that your relative or friend is in a state of shock when they learn that they have been stricken. The shock is to their whole psyche. Their doctor has told them, depending on the cancer’s stage that they have a little time left. Be sensitive to this shock. The way it is manifested varies from individual to individual. Your best first response is to tell them you are sorry to hear of it. Don’t hesitate to show your own grief. To know that you are as disappointed as they are will prove to be a comfort.
Let your relative or friend be the one to tell you what their doctor predicts. Cancer stage development is the main indicator of how long a patient’s life could be. However, lung cancer survival seems to be colder than it is expected. Certainly, some survive and go on to live for many years; in rare cases, full remission has occurred. Unfortunately, the stage of progression of the cancer after diagnosis is bleak. On average, lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy may see 4.8 months without progression of the cancer, but in most cases, the cancer progresses and the patient may survive for just a total of 10.3 months after diagnosis.
Annually, facts on lung cancer survival keeps on changing, due to a lot of new studies, treatments and drugs being introduced in the market. One of the major breakthroughs in the study of lung cancer survival is the coming up of the drug named Erbitux in the year 2008, wherein it increases the span of survival to 5%, from the previously stated 10.1 months, it is now at 11.3 months. As such, the percentage of survival for a year or more has also increased from 42 to 47 percent. Even at the time of this writing, new drugs are being developed.
Studies have shown that even people short exposure of 1 to 3 months is enough to increase the odds of contracting this fatal disease. Even the proximity of naturally occurring asbestos put one at risk. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial, including cement, brake linings, gaskets, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.
Long term exposure to asbestos may trigger a lot of lung diseases such as asbestosis or the worst, asbestos caused lung cancer. Let us first define asbestosis; it is a condition where the inhalation of the harmful asbestos fibers causes the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis), which limits the normal expansion of the lungs. Further unrelenting exposure to asbestos significantly leads to pleural plaques, malignant mesothelioma and pleural effusion. Malignant mesothelioma maybe defined as a rare type of cancer mainly caused by asbestos exposure. It is oftentimes observed that a significant number of people affected with it are from the population of employee smokers. Learn more about asbestosis and mesothelioma litigation at asbestosismesotheliomasettlement.com
With the alarming number of people getting these types of occupational diseases, a lot of asbestos settlements, asbestos compensation and asbestos lawsuits are brought out in the open. It is the right of every worker to have a well secured and healthy workplace, as such, it is their sole right to be taken care of by their companies once they get sick because of their company’s mess. Learn more about asbestos compensation at asbestosismesotheliomasettlement.com
Facts about lung cancer treatment relate to the side effects of chemotherapy. Loss of hair is the most obvious. Your relative or friend will appear anemic and will have rashes. The side effects of chemotherapy are based on the therapy itself. It stops once the treatment has ended. Whatever you observe, do so with compassion. Be gentle and loving. If at all possible, leave your friend or relative with a smile, a medicine that always soothes.
About the Author
Willard Derama is a publisher and a writer for about three years now. He writes various articles on a lot of topics for website and online shop owners. He also writes article about asbestosis.