Lung cancer by Valenzuela, Celma

Discussion 1: Investigating a Disease Process

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-08-24 23:24:06 UTC

Through this semester I plan to learn more about cancer.
I chose cancer because it has always been an interest of mine.
Cancer can affect almost any organ or body system, the location depends on the type and the severity.
Cancer occurs when a cells grow and spread throughout the body in an abnormal and uncontrollable way.

What is Lung Cancer?

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:44:36 UTC

Lung Cancer is the overgrowth of cells in the lungs that causes tumors that can ultimately disrupt breathing and can spread to other organs.

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:46:20 UTC

Signs

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:46:47 UTC

Signs of Lung Cancer, such as abnormal breathing (sound) or finding a tumor through some sort of scanning, are observable or obvious indicators of a disease that can be noticed by someone other than the patient.

Symptoms

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:47:56 UTC

Symptoms, such as chest pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath can only be noticed by the patient.What are symptoms

Signs & Symptoms

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:48:36 UTC

The most common signs and symptoms of lung cancer include having a cough that does not go away, coughing up blood (also known as hemoptysis), a shortness of breath, dysphonia, and chest pain that intensifies when coughing, laughing, or breathing deeply. Some other examples patients may face include, an unexplained weight loss, a loss of appetite, and having frequent respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:49:22 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:50:29 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:51:13 UTC

Etiology

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:51:56 UTC

Lung cancer is mainly caused by smoking, but secondhand smoke, exposure to harmful chemicals, age, and genetics also play a role.

Epidemiology

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:52:35 UTC

Men historically had higher rates, but smoking trends among women have narrowed the gap. Older adults are at higher risk.

Prevalence

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:53:12 UTC

Hundreds of thousands of new cases occur each year in the U.S., and millions worldwide, making it a leading cause of cancer deaths.

Environments

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:54:02 UTC

Places with poor air quality or exposure to chemicals, especially workplaces like construction or manufacturing, increase risk.

Spreading system

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:54:47 UTC

Lung cancer is not contagious; it develops due to behavior and environmental exposure rather than person-to-person transmission.

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:56:51 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:57:19 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:58:24 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:59:16 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 01:59:41 UTC

Testing

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 02:00:30 UTC

Doctors use CT scans, PET scans, biopsies, and genetic tests to find and monitor lung cancer

Treatments

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 02:01:04 UTC

Lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and supportive care like acupuncture or meditation

Other potential treatments

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 02:01:43 UTC

Researchers are testing new targeted drugs, stronger immunotherapies, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, liquid biopsies, and personalized cancer vaccines, but more trials and funding are needed

Prevention

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 02:02:15 UTC

Avoiding smoking, limiting secondhand smoke, checking for radon, and regular CT screening for high-risk people can help prevent lung cancer

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 02:02:40 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 02:03:13 UTC

cvalenzuela35_1 — 2025-12-02 02:03:37 UTC