Methods to prevent early lung cancer and symptoms of early lung cancer

The five-year survival rate of lung cancer is directly related to whether it is discovered early. The five-year survival rate of stage I lung cancer is 45%-50%, while in stage IV, the five-year survival rate drops to 1%. Unfortunately, more than half of lung cancer patients are already in stage IV when diagnosed.

Symptoms of early lung cancer

1. Chronic cough: Many patients have chronic cough symptoms, but this symptom is often easily ignored by both doctors and patients, or classified as other reasons. Especially in China, where the air quality is poor, cough symptoms are not too common and are easily missed.

If a patient's cough persists for more than two or three weeks, it must be taken seriously.

In addition to the need for differential diagnosis from respiratory allergies and respiratory infections, patients who already suffer from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergies or gastroesophageal reflux need to be carefully distinguished during diagnosis because of the cough symptoms caused by the primary disease.

Hemoptysis is also a common symptom of lung cancer, but it is not easy for patients themselves to detect it, so doctors need to pay attention to it.

2. Shoulder, back, chest, and arm pain: Lung tumors may compress nerves, causing pain in the patient's shoulders, chest, back, or arms - this symptom may even appear before coughing and shortness of breath. If pain symptoms occur in these areas without primary injury, especially pain symptoms that worsen when coughing and breathing, close attention is needed. Up to 50% of lung cancer patients have chest pain or shoulder pain when they are diagnosed.

3. Recurrent infections (bronchitis and pneumonia): It is not uncommon for patients with recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis to be diagnosed with lung cancer. If the tumor is close to the airway, it can cause obstruction and make the patient more susceptible to lung infection.

Long-term smoking or COPD can also cause lung infections and bronchitis, but these are also high-risk factors for lung cancer.

3. Abnormal symptoms or physical decline: Sometimes even seemingly unrelated symptoms are associated with lung cancer, especially in smokers. For example, 1.7% of non-small cell lung cancer patients experience knee pain in the early stages. In addition, some comprehensive symptoms, such as fatigue, decreased appetite, unexplained weight loss, and even depression, may indicate lung cancer.

At present, the number of lung cancer patients in my country is in an increasing period due to various reasons. Early screening is of great significance to the patient's survival rate, and paying attention to early clinical symptoms can save the patient's life.

Common ways to prevent lung cancer

1. Control and prohibit smoking.

The mechanism of smoking causing lung cancer has been studied clearly. Epidemiological data and a large number of animal experiments have fully proved that smoking is the number one killer of lung cancer. Both we and society should take action. The country should formulate strong laws to publicize that tobacco contains carcinogens that cause lung cancer. We should develop good living habits, try not to smoke and reduce the chance of passive smoking.

2. Improve the ventilation environment in the workplace.

Reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the air, transform the production process, reduce the generation of harmful substances, and workers in dust-polluted environments should wear masks or other protective masks to reduce the inhalation of harmful substances. There are also certain taboos in diet. Eat some high-protein, comprehensive, high-vitamin, low-fat and low-salt diets, avoid smoking and drinking; reduce the intake of spicy and irritating foods: onions, garlic, ginger, pepper, etc.; eat less hot foods such as fried and grilled foods. Eat some fresh vegetables and fruits that are rich in nutrition and vitamins. Always keep a happy and positive spirit, and don't be depressed about trivial things.