Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed each year in Singapore. The risk of lung cancer is greatest among smokers. Individuals with a long history of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day raise the risk of lung cancer. When a person quits smoking, the risk of lung cancer decreases, but it takes a number of years later to reach the same lung health level as a nonsmoker. Passive smokers also have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may not be noticeable in the early stages. One should seek medical attention from a lung cancer specialist in Singapore and get a lung cancer screening test if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- A cough that last more than 2 weeks
- Change in a chronic cough or “smoker’s cough”
- Coughing up blood (even if small amounts)
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bone/joint pain
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Swelling of face or arms
- Facial paralysis
There are 2 types of lung cancer:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
NSCLS is a more common type of lung cancer and is generally less aggressive. Early treatment can offer a higher chance of successful recovery. Types of treatment may include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
SCLC is a more aggressive type of lung cancer, and can usually spread to other parts of the body. This type of cancer is usually detected in the later stages, which would require chemotherapy treatment for patients.
The extent of your lung cancer will be known after it has been diagnosed. This will aid in determining the best course of action. Imaging techniques such as MRI brain, PET, and bone scans may be used in staging experiments.
Make an appointment with our lung cancer specialist Dr C.T. Yeo to know more