Despite the fact that smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer, many people who develop the disease have never smoked. Around 20% of patients who die of lung cancer each year are in this category. Aside from smoking, your surroundings and genetics may also play a role in your risk. If you have a lung cancer-prone father, brother, or sister, you are twice as likely to develop the disease as someone who does not have a family history of the disease. However, it’s ideal if you place that threat in context. Your overall danger level is low. Having a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with lung cancer does not mean you will get it as well. Only about 8% of lung cancers are passed on in families.
To reduce the risk, it is advisable to be aware of one’s family history and discuss it with an oncologist in Kolkata, just as it is with any other health concern.
Clinical trials and research indicate how distinct lung cancer risk factors may modify lung cells’ DNA, which could lead to lung cancer. These changes can lead to abnormal cell growth and, in some situations, cancer. DNA is the chemical that makes up our genes, which control how our cells function. Much more than our looks is influenced by our DNA, which is inherited from both parents. Furthermore, it has the potential to influence our risk of contracting certain diseases, such as cancer.
When cells develop, divide to generate new cells, and die, specific genes play a role.
Oncogenes are genes that promote cell growth, proliferation, and survival.
Tumor suppressor genes are those that help control cell division or cause cells to die at the right time.
Changes in the DNA can cause cancer by activating oncogenes or inhibiting tumour suppressor genes. Lung cancer is usually caused by mutations in a large number of different genes. Patients with a family history of lung cancer should get frequent screenings and contact an oncologist in Kolkata for early detection and diagnosis.
Lung cancer screening eligibility
Low-dose CT scanning has risks, including the possibility of doing more harm than good in people who are less likely to acquire lung cancer. People who are at a higher risk of lung cancer should consult with their doctor, who can assist them in making an informed decision about whether or not they should be tested. If people choose to be tested, they should do so every year until they reach the age of 74, as long as they are healthy.
Heavy smoking history
A person who has smoked for 30 pack-years or more is considered to be a heavy smoker. A pack-year is a year in which a person smoked one pack of cigarettes every day. For example, 30 pack-years can be met by smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years.
Current smokers and those who have stopped smoking in the previous 15 years are at a higher risk of lung cancer and should be checked. Current smokers who are getting smoking cessation counselling should be screened.
Family history of lung cancer
It is very important to know early symptoms of cancer. Anyone with a family history of lung cancer should see an oncologist in Kolkata on a regular basis to reduce their chance of developing lung cancer. By speaking with a medical specialist about the benefits, limitations, and potential risks, a patient can choose whether now is the right time to schedule their lung cancer test.
Those above the age of 55 should have regular lung cancer screenings. Those between the ages of 55 and 80 should have regular lung cancer screenings.
Many patients with lung cancer do not have symptoms until the disease has advanced. Some people may confuse the early signs and symptoms of one ailment with those of another. Anyone who is at a higher risk of lung cancer should have a yearly screening to discover the disease early on when it is easier to treat. Screenings, on the other hand, may miss some types of lung cancer or detect it at a later stage. Credihealth can help you schedule an appointment with an oncologist in Kolkata to learn more about cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment options.
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