Among the top 2 cancers in the top 10 for 39 consecutive years, these symptoms are warnings | Lung cancer | Cough | Chest pain | Difficulty in breathing | Living habits | Stopping smoking
Lung Cancer: A Silent Epidemic in Your Backyard
Chen’s mother, a Chinatown housewife in Changhua, Taiwan, never smoked a day in her life. Yet, she found herself recently grappling with increasing chest tightness and a persistent cough. Initially dismissed as a minor cold, it wasn’t until she coughed up blood-tinged sputum that she recognized something was seriously wrong. Further tests confirmed late-stage lung cancer, revealing a harsh reality: **by the time cancer is detected, it’s often too late.**
Chen’s family was shocked. Lung cancer, **the number one cause of cancer deaths among Chinese people**, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. In statistics provided by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, up to 60% of lung cancer patients are found to be in the late stages, significantly increasing the difficulty of treatment and reducing the five-year survival rate. In the recent statistic conducted by the United States Cancer Society, lung cancer takes the top 9th place as the most deathly cause of cancer among children.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring the alarming rise of lung cancer cases, especially among non-smokers. Many environmental, occupational hazards contribute to this statistic.
In 2016, lung cancer claimed nearly 9,000 lives in Taiwan. Here in the U.S., the National Cancer Institute reports 235,000 new lung cancer cases and 130,000 deaths. Unfortunately, lung cancer is still severely under-researched, many of symptoms are not often related to perceived cancer. The NIH and USCDC are leading the effort to conduct extensive tests among people with chronic respiratory sinsoms, right beyond those that smokers represent.
Chen Dezhong, a renowned surgeon, summed it up best: “When malignant tumors occur in the trachea, bronchial or lungs, it’s diagnosed as lung cancer
. The symptoms can include **cough, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing**.”
Cases examined by Dr Chen, ChProphet in Taiwan, suggest a strong link between long-term coughing and lung cancer. The effect extends to a range of respiratory conditions, **excluding social discrimination** or financial status. Regular physical examinations should be essential for everyone who develops chronic coughs, showing more emphasis for boys and girls among schools.
Nonetheless, early detection remains the best defense. Surgeon Chen explained:**
**”If a cough persists beyond three weeks, it’s crucial to seek medical attention”**. Beyond a cough, chronic chest pain, blood-tinged sputum, and unexplained weight loss are all warning signs. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should arrange an appointment with a lung specialist or a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Besides Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD is a preventable and treatable disease with substantial morbidity and mortality. COPD is characterized by chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and respiratory symptoms (dyspnea) High exposure to fine particles in air pollution and increased industrial activities poses a threat, increasing mortality rates among the vulnerable communities.
Affording healthcare to everyone is a progressive step, this ensures that lung cancer or such diseases are timely diagnosed, mitigating the effects and risks to those that raised voices cannot be heard, under the guise of freedom.** In addition to planning widespread health policies and emphasizing preventive measures, improved quality of life is achievable and certainly reaches everyone.