21 March 2017
The constant risk for anyone who has ever had a cigarette – lung cancer no longer belongs to the domain of smokers alone. Unearth the details of how this respiratory illness affects you and those around you.
| MYTHS | FACTS |
|---|---|
 Only Smokers Get Lung Cancer |
Although most people who develop lung cancer are ex-smokers, it can also develop in non-smokers. In fact, 10% of people overall (and 20% of women) who have lung cancer have never smoked a cigarette in their life |
 More Women Die from Breast Cancer than from Lung Cancer |
Lung cancer is an equal opportunity disease. Nearly half of lung cancer cases occur in women, and more women die from lung cancer than any other form of cancer |
 There is Nothing I Can Do to Lower My Risk of Lung Cancer |
The best way to lower your risk of contracting lung cancer is to avoid or quit the smoking habit and reduce the amount of time spent in smoking areas. Having a healthy diet and exercising regularly also appears to lower the risk factor |
 I Am Too Young to Have Lung Cancer |
Lung cancer is more common in people over the age of 60 but does occur in people under the age of 40 (6.2% of all cases), and in these cases are usually detected at a later stage |
 I Am Too Old for My Lung Cancer to be Treated |
Age alone shouldn’t determine whether or not a lung cancer is treated. It appears that the young at heart are often able to tolerate chemotherapy as well as their younger counterparts, and have a similar quality of life following surgery |
FAST FINDINGS
Most common cancer death in Malaysian men
Second most lethal cancer in Malaysia after breast cancer
Amounts to 4,088 deaths every year
Of those diagnosed, 92% of patients are smokers
The average age of those diagnosed is 60 years old
Certain factors increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Here are the five most common risk factors:
Smoking
Inhaling second-hand smoke
Radiation
Exposure to asbestos and carbon monoxide
Asthma and genetics
SYMPTOMS TO SPOT
Persistent cough
Coughing blood
Chest pain and infections
Constant fatigue and shortness of breath
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Immunotherapy
PREVENTIVE LUNG CANCER
Don’t smoke
Ultimately, not smoking is the best and most direct measure. Or, quit the habit if you smoke
Avoid secondhand smoke
Ensure both your home and car are free from the smoke of other people’s cigarettes, pipes and vaping devices
Be wary of toxic gases in the environment
Avoid being in industrial areas filled with a high volume of carbon monoxide or use facial masks where possible
Go for regular health checkups
Early detection helps in a speedier recovery. Adopt an active lifestyle rather than picking up a cigarette as an alternative to bust stress and stay fit
Support
Support groups are vital in assisting you through the treatment and recovery stages of cancer. They provide counselling, guidance and advise and even financial assistance in certain instances
National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM)
1800-08-1000
https://www.cancer.org.my
MAKNA: National Cancer Council Malaysia
1-800-88-62562
http://makna.org.my
National Cancer Institute
03-88925555
http://nci.moh.gov.my
Our fast-paced and demanding lifestyles have led to a significant increase in the number of illnesses and diseases.
