In our previous blog we introduced you to Allyson, a stage three lung cancer patient who was very surprised by her diagnosis. She and her friends believed you had to be a smoker to contract lung cancer. She had to deal with a certain stigma associated with a “smoker’s” disease.
Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists now bring you Part Two in our coverage of Lung Cancer as a disease which also attacks non-smokers for a variety of reasons and risks factors–Lung Cancer: Also Deadly to Non-Smokers.
We now suggest that you read or review that previous blog as we proceed to the fourth possible cause for lung cancer in non-smokers. This is a cause that life style choices can not evade. It is inherent in your heredity:
4. Gene mutations: Scientists have been studying how cells transform into lung cancer. They have been looking at differences between the lung cells of smokers and non-smokers.
Recently, they learned that that a particular kind of gene mutation is much more common in lung cancer in non-smokers than smokers. This particular mutation simply activates a gene for cell growth. “The mutation causes the gene to be turned on constantly, so the lung cancer cells grow faster. Knowing which gene changes cause the cells to grow has helped researchers develop targeted therapies, drugs that specifically target these mutations.”
5. The Danger of Air Pollution: Experts know that indoor and outdoor air pollution contribute greatly to lung cancer. “According to Elizabeth Ward, PhD, American Cancer Society National Vice President, Intramural Research, the risk of lung cancer associated with air pollution is lower in the US than in many other countries because of policies that have helped to lower the levels of exposure.”
6. A Special Note to Women: You might not consider it a cause per se, but if you were born a woman, lung cancer is a special threat to you whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker.
The Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists want you to remember that statistically less than half of women diagnosed with lung cancer will still be living one year after they have been diagnosed. Unfortunately, the American Lung Association recently stated that less than a quarter of women surveyed were aware of this startling fact.
Education of this and other facts is one of our weapons against cancer and people are beginning to understand more about women’s risk for the disease. That is why “Lung Force USA” has been established and you will be seeing events that are emblazoned with the color of the cause, turquoise.
Check out the organization, the goals and the resources at this informative online source. You might even take the pledge.
You will be hearing about many celebrities who are helping to spread the word about the danger lung cancer poses to women. At the above mentioned site, you can hear a personal story from Lung Force member and music star, Kellie Pickler. Like many others, she is devoting time to this cause.
“Music star Kellie Pickler was only 15 years old when her beloved grandmother, Faye Pickler, the woman she called “Mom,” was diagnosed with lung cancer. For her grandmother the battle
was over just as soon as it began. Only one day after she was diagnosed, Faye passed away.”
In the war against lung cancer, the government and industry can only go so far. In summary, the high risks for non-smokers include: Radon gas, Second hand Smoke, Air Pollution, Gene Mutations and according to recent information, being a Woman.
Individual citizens have to make life decisions that will help them minimize their risks. If you are a non-smoker, you have taken one very important step to avoid lung cancer.
We hope the above information, and the data in Part I last week will help you take more steps toward less risk of lung cancer.
We of the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists in Orlando, continue to join and support the research into causes and treatments of this disease.
Remember, no one deserves lung cancer. Smokers and non-smokers, rich or poor, male or female, lung cancer can strike any one, at any age.
