Lung Cancer Diagnosis in Maryland

If you’re concerned about developing lung cancer, the following steps can reduce your risk:

• Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Exercise daily
• Include more fresh vegetables and fruits in your daily diet
• Wear a face mask to protect yourself from exposed toxic chemicals or gases
• Test your home for radon gas. Reduce radon exposure by ventilating your basements.

Smoking is one of the main causes of lung cancer. Even being exposed to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of lung cancer, and smoking leads to mutations that cause lung cancer. Thousands of chemicals are found in cigarette smoke, including several carcinogens. Although the human body can frequently detoxify and eliminate carcinogens, when it cannot do so, residual carcinogens can cause cells in the body to mutate, occasionally developing into malignant cells.

Routine screening is very effective in detecting abnormalities in the lungs. However, routine screening is not needed by people having a low or average risk of developing lung cancer. Only those who are between the ages of 55 and 77 should get screening under these conditions:

• A former smoker who quit smoking within the last 15 years.
• Smokers who smoke an average of one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years, two packs a day for 15 years, or 3 packs a day for 10 years.

You may have these symptoms if you have lung cancer:

• Shortness of breath
• Chronic coughing, possibly coughing blood
• Pain in your chest, shoulder, or back
• Hoarseness
• Fatigue
• Unexplained fever
• Unexplained weight loss

If a cough lasts more than two months, it’s a good idea to consult with your physician, who can identify the underlying cause and suggest treatment for you.

Yes, it can. A person who has lung cancer may experience shoulder discomfort or weakness (as well as in the chest, back, arm or hand).

Many lung cancer symptoms don’t become apparent until cancer reaches an advanced stage. Since the lungs cannot be seen or touched, it is more difficult to determine whether something is wrong until troubling symptoms such as a chronic cough, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss arise.

There is no proper answer to this as cancer’s behavior varies greatly depending on its location, type, stage, and various other factors. However, on average, most lung cancers double in size in about 4-5 months.

Despite your limited lung capacity due to lung cancer, it is suggested that you incorporate some physical activities into your daily routine. With exercises, you can enhance your strength, energy, endurance, and quality of life, which are all key factors for recovery and well-being. However, please consult our oncologists to see what is right for you.