Lung cancer
Factsheet
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men after prostate and third most
common after breast cancer and colorectal cancer in women. In 2008 there were around
41,000 new cases of lung cancer in the UK.
There are different types of lung cancer – small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung
cancers. Around 80% are non-small cell lung cancers and the quickly growing small cell
lung cancer accounts for about 20%. These two types of lung cancer differ in their
development and their treatment.
Who is at risk?
90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking and passive smoking. The risk increases with
the number of cigarettes smoked and the length of time someone has been a smoker.
9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer can be prevented. If you want to quit smoking, and would
like information on how you can prepare to become a non smoker, ring us - 01242 535900.
Contact with asbestos can increase your risk of lung cancer. Where you live can also add to
your risk – people who are exposed to Radon gas which occurs naturally in parts of Devon,
Cornwall, Somerset, Northamptonshire and Derbyshire are more likely to develop lung
cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are not normally noticed in the early stage of lung cancer. As the cancer grows
and causes pressure or pain they are detected and can include:
 a nagging, persistent cough
 wheezing and shortness of breath
 recurrent chest infections
 coughing up blood
 pain in the back, chest or shoulder
 hoarseness
 unexplained weight loss
 loss of appetite
These symptoms may have other causes and do not necessarily mean you have lung cancer
but you should see your doctor and get checked out. The earlier a cancer is diagnosed the
greater the chance the treatment will be successful. Sadly, lung cancer is often caught too
late.
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor will carry out an examination and history. If necessary you will be referred to
the hospital for a chest X-ray and blood tests. Your GP may ask you to take some samples
of phlegm to the hospital for investigation.
Cobalt registered charity no 1090790. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 4366596.
Registered office Linton House Clinic Thirlestaine Road Cheltenham GL53 7AS.
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The doctor at the hospital may arrange for you to have some further tests done:
bronchchoscopy
 a narrow flexible tube called a bronchoscope is put down your throat and
into the airway. The doctor can see into your airways and also take samples
of tissue and cells during the procedure.
mediastinoscopy
 the mediastinum is an area in the centre of your chest between your lungs.
This test is done under a general anaesthetic. The doctor makes a small cut
at the base of the neck and inserts a tube to examine the area and take
tissue samples for examination.
lung biopsy
 this procedure is performed under local anaesthetic – it can be
uncomfortable but only takes a few minutes. A thin needle is guided to the
suspect area with the help of X-rays, CT scan or ultrasound. The cell
samples taken can then be examined under a microscope.
How is lung cancer treated?
Possible treatments for lung cancer may include:
chemotherapy. They can be used alone or together.
surgery,
radiotherapy
and
Non small cell lung cancer is treated differently from small cell lung cancer.
Non small cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or
a combination of these, depending on how advanced the cancer is when diagnosed.
Small cell lung cancer is mostly treated with chemotherapy as this type of lung cancer
spreads quickly. You may also have radiotherapy.
Secondary lung cancer
Secondary cancer is cancer that has spread from somewhere else in the body. The
choice of treatment depends on where the cancer started. When a cancer spreads to
the lung from another part of the body such as the breast or bowel these cancer cells
are not lung cancer cells. Therefore, the treatment the secondary cancer in the lung
would respond best to would be the treatment most effective for breast or bowel
cancer.
Survival
There are around 35,261 deaths from lung cancer in the UK in 2008. Survival rates for
lung cancer patients are very poor and for patients diagnosed between 2001-2006 the
five-year survival rate was 7% for men and 9% for women.
Cobalt registered charity no 1090790. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 4366596.
Registered office Linton House Clinic Thirlestaine Road Cheltenham GL53 7AS.
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For further information and help to quit smoking contact:
Sue White, Linton House Clinic - 01242 535905
Gloucestershire Smoking Advice Service – 08454 220040
Your own GP practice
Quitline 0800 00 22 00
References :
Cancer Research UK CancerStats Key Facts Lung Cancer and Smoking 2011
Sue White
Cancer Prevention Coordinator
Cobalt Linton House Clinic Thirlestaine Road Cheltenham GL53 7AS
Telephone 01242 535900
Website www.cobalthealth.co.uk
March 2011
Cobalt registered charity no 1090790. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 4366596.
Registered office Linton House Clinic Thirlestaine Road Cheltenham GL53 7AS.
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