Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be grouped into two main types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. More men die of lung cancer in Australia than from any other type of cancer.

Non-small cell 

Non-small cell lung cancer affects the cells that line the tubes into the lungs (main bronchi) and smaller airways. 

Small cell 

Small cell lung cancer tends to start in the middle of the lungs and is usually not found before the cancer has spread to the blood stream. 

Symptoms

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain 
• Blood may be brought up when coughing
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite.

 Causes 

• Smoking makes up around 90% of lung cancer cases[1]
• Occupational exposure to chemicals such as asbestos, radon, hydrocarbon
• Occurs most often in people over the age of 50
• Passive smoking can also cause lung cancer.

You can reduce your risk of lung cancer by: 

• Not smoking
• Avoiding breathing other people’s cigarette smoke
• Avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals that can be inhaled.