What is lung cancer?

The lungs are a pair of organs found in your chest. Your lungs form part of your respiratory system, which allows you to breathe.

Lung cancer develops when normal cells in your lung change and grow in an abnormal and uncontrolled way. These abnormal cells can form a tumour in your lung. This is called primary lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Ireland and usually affects people over the age of 50.

Spotting cancer early is important. Look for any symptoms or changes that are unusual for you.

Symptoms may include: Difficulty with breathing, a cough that won't go away or a change in a long-term cough, a chest infection that won't go away even after antibiotics, wheezing or trouble breathing, a hoarse voice, coughing up blood-stained phlegm, or a pain in your chest, especially when you breathe in.

You may also feel more tired than usual, have a loss of appetite or weight loss. These symptoms may be caused by other things.

If you have any symptoms or changes in your body that you are worried about, go and get checked with your doctor. This is important. Your doctor will examine you and may refer you for a chest x-ray. A chest x-ray is a simple test to see if there are any abnormalities in your lungs.

If your chest x-ray shows that there is an abnormality or if your doctor is worried about your symptoms, you may be referred to a respiratory specialist for more tests, which may include: a lung function test. This is a special breathing test to check how well the lungs work. A repeat chest x-ray, a CT scan, MRI scan, or a PET scan. These scans can give a more detailed picture of your lungs. A bronchoscopy. This test uses a long tube with a camera at one end that allows the doctor to see the tissues in your lungs. A biopsy, which involves taking some cells from the lung tissue and looking at them under a microscope to see if they are cancerous or not.

There are 2 main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer.

Another type of cancer that affects the lung is mesothelioma. This is a rare type of lung cancer. Usually, this cancer occurs when someone has been exposed to a chemical called asbestos.

The main treatment for lung cancer are: Surgery, to remove the tumour. This may be removal of a part or all of one lung. Chemotherapy, which are drugs to cure or control the cancer. Radiotherapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies, which are drugs that target certain parts of cancer cells. Sometimes a combination of these treatments are given to treat lung cancer.

Many cancers can be cured or controlled, and fortunately, research and science are improving outcomes for cancer all the time.

We don't know exactly what causes many cancers, but there are things that can increase your risk of getting lung cancer. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and the biggest risk factor. Your risk of lung cancer is directly related to the number of cigarettes that you smoke every day and the number of years you have been smoking. People who start smoking at a young age have a higher risk. Your risk is increased if an immediate family member such as your father, mother, brother or sister has had lung cancer. Breathing in other people's cigarette smoke, also called passive smoking can increase your risk of lung cancer.

People who do not smoke can also get lung cancer but their risk is much lower. Other factors may include: being exposed to some hazardous substances such as radon gas or asbestos.

There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of lung cancer: Don't smoke. Avoid secondhand or passive smoke. Protect yourself from chemicals and pollutants.

Not smoking or giving up smoking is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of lung cancer.

Spotting cancer early is important. Learn what to look for and talk to your doctor if you notice anything unusual for you.

For more information about lung cancer, go to our website: cancer.ie/lung

You can also call our Support Line free of charge and talk to one of our cancer nurses on 1800 200 700

Or you can email our cancer nurses on the Support Line at: supportline@irishcancer.ie