Contents:
- Medical Video: What Causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? – Manipal Hospital
- Different lung cancer with COPD
- COPD is a cause of lung cancer
- Is it true that only COPD is a risk factor for lung cancer?
Medical Video: What Causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? – Manipal Hospital
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a disease that attacks the lungs due to smoking. This disease is also called "smoker's cough" whose symptoms worsen if it continues to be left. COPD is said to be the main factor causing lung cancer. However, is that really true?
Different lung cancer with COPD
COPD is a collection of diseases characterized by blocked airways in the lungs. Some clinical symptoms including COPD include:
- Emphysema. The condition is characterized by damage to the alveoli, which is a small air bag at the end of the airway where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. The loss of elasticity of the alveoli causes air to be trapped inside the alveoli, rupture, and cause scarring.
- Chronic bronchitis. A condition characterized by inflammation or the presence of bronchial scarring, the channel that carries air to the lungs. Inflammation causes mucus to accumulate, clog, and cause recurrent infections.
- Bronchiectasis. Conditions that cause the bronchi to expand, thicken and soften making it difficult for the lungs to clear mucus.
While lung cancer (lung cancer) is the growth of abnormal cells around the lung. Uncontrolled cell growth causes various symptoms, such as coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
COPD is a cause of lung cancer
Quoted from the Health Line page, a 2010 study showed that people with COPD were 21.3 percent more likely to develop lung cancer in 10 years compared to othose who do not have COPD. Then, is COPD really the main factor causing lung cancer?
Basically, COPD can indeed develop into lung cancer especially not handled properly. Someone who has COPD and does not smoke has a high chance of developing lung cancer.
Well, this risk will increase if you have a smoking habit. Therefore, people who have a history of COPD and smoking habits will be more likely to develop lung cancer in the future.
Is it true that only COPD is a risk factor for lung cancer?
COPD is a major factor in lung cancer, but not the only one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States, says there are many things that can increase the risk of lung cancer, such as:
- Radon. Radon chemicals are the second cause of lung cancer. This gas is odorless and colorless, if the exposure lasts long enough cancer cells can develop in the lungs.
- Air pollution. Work environments or residences that tend to be contaminated with dust, silica dust, asbestos, tar, chromium, arsenic, cadmium, nickel and beryllium increase the risk of lung cancer.
- Heredity and medical problems. Have a family history of lung cancer or have autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus, rheumatism, HIV infection, and undergo radiation therapy in the chest.
- Smoke. Having a habit of smoking or being exposed to cigarette smoke can increase the risk of COPD as well as cancer in the lungs.
Lung cancer usually does not cause signs and symptoms at an early stage. Symptoms will appear if cancer cells are growing. Beware of coughs that don't heal with a small amount of blood.
Then, pay attention to other lung cancer symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, body aches and weight drops dramatically without cause. Immediately conduct an examination and consult a doctor to find out the right diagnosis and treatment.
