Cigarette Smoke Still No. 1 Lung Cancer Cause, say Respiratory Therapists
For Immediate Release
IRVING, TX (June 01, 2006) – Everyone knows lung cancer is caused by smoking. But recent news stories about lung cancer in well known nonsmokers such as Dana Reeve, widow of actor Christopher Reeve, have raised awareness of other causes of the condition.
According to respiratory therapists from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), these other causes can range from asbestos and arsenic to air pollution.
Of particular concern is radon, an invisible, odorless gas that seeps up from the soil into homes and buildings and contributes to as many as 22,000 lung cancer deaths annually. The gas is considered especially deadly when combined with cigarette smoke.
“Measuring radon levels in your home or workplace is a good idea,” says Patricia Blakely, RRT, noting steps can be taken to rid the environment of this deadly gas.
But even radon – considered the second biggest cause of lung cancer – is only responsible for about 12 percent of lung cancer deaths every year. The lion's share of lung cancer still comes from the business end of a cigarette, and avoiding tobacco smoke either by quitting or, if you're a nonsmoker, staying away from smokers, remains the number one way to steer clear of the disease.
“The toxic agents in cigarette smoke are very irritating to the cells and mucous lining of the lungs and cause cellular changes to lung tissue,” says the registered respiratory therapist. “Tumors form in the lung passages and tissue as a result.”
The symptoms of the disease are similar despite whether someone develops the condition from smoking or an environmental cause. Warning signs include a c ough that doesn't go away or gets worse; constant chest pain; coughing up blood; shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness; repeated bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis; swelling of the neck or face; loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss; and fatigue. Unfortunately, the cancer is often far along before these signs develop.
That's why staying away from tobacco is so important, says Blakely. “If you are a smoker and quit, your risk levels off after 10 years and drops to 50 percent.” She suggests enrolling in a smoking cessation program to assist with the quitting process, which can be difficult for many people. “Many hospital based respiratory therapy departments offer both inpatient and outpatient smoking cessation classes, and many insurance providers, including Medicare, will cover the cost.”
Most programs, she continues, will offer the smoker prescription stop smoking medications that can “help with the anxiety and withdrawal symptoms that most people experience.” Support groups also make a difference for a lot of people.
When it comes to nonsmokers, Blakely says the best bet is to simply refuse to allow people to smoke around you. “If you live with a smoker, insist that they do not smoke in your home, and avoid environments where smoking is allowed, like restaurants or other public places.”
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory diseases. RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians' offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients' homes.
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is a not-for-profit, professional organization, consisting of 40,000 respiratory therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals. AARC is dedicated to assisting persons with respiratory diseases receive safe and effective respiratory care.
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Contact: Beth Binkley
Binkley@aarc.org
American Association For Respiratory Care
9425 N MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100 , Irving , TX 75063
972-406-4657, 927-243-2272
Other Causes of Lung Cancer
Although smoking remains the top cause of lung cancer, responsible for 87 percent of all cases, other substances factor into the disease as well. According to the American Association for Respiratory Care, lung cancer may also be caused by
Radon
Asbestos
Arsenic
Air pollution
One of the biggest and most preventable causes of lung cancer in nonsmokers, however, is secondhand smoke. Up do 6,000 nonsmokers die from lung cancer every year due secondhand smoke exposure. By comparison, researchers estimate radon, the second largest cause of lung cancer overall, kills around 3,000 nonsmokers annually.
For more information on lung cancer, visit the AARC's consumer web site, www.YourLungHealth.org .
