Test Your Knowledge About Lung Cancer (7 Qs)

According to a The European Respiratory Journal. 2008. and the American Cancer Society 2010. Many of the cancer-causing substances in tobacco are also found in marijuana. Marijuana contains more tar than cigarettes. (Tar is the sticky, solid material that remains after burning, which is thought to contain most of the harmful substances in smoke.) Marijuana cigarettes (joints) are typically smoked all the way to the end, where tar content is the highest. Marijuana is also inhaled very deeply and the smoke is held in the lungs for a long time. And because marijuana is an illegal substance, it is not possible to control what other substances it might contain.

Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of men because it is the most common and deadliest form of cancer in men. It is responsible for the highest number of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide. Lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat effectively. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and men have historically had higher smoking rates than women, contributing to the higher incidence of lung cancer in men. Early detection through regular screenings and quitting smoking are crucial in reducing the mortality rate of lung cancer in men.

The U.S. Surgeon General states that The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the preeminent U.S. standard-setting body on ventilation issues, has concluded that ventilation technology cannot be relied on to completely control health risks from secondhand smoke exposure.
Conventional air cleaning systems can remove large particles, but not the smaller particles or the gases found in secondhand smoke.
Operation of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system can distribute secondhand smoke throughout a building.

The most recent SEER data http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html - for the years 2001- 2007 for all races and all sexes, only 15% of lung cancer diagnosis are detected in a localized stage confined to one site with a 52% five year survival rate. 22% are diagnosed in a Regional stage (spread to regional lymphnodes) with a 24.2% five year survival rate., 56% are diagnosed in a Distant stage (cancer has metastasized) with a 3.6% five year survival rate., and 7% are unstaged with a 8.1% five year survival rate. Lesson: If we had an early detection method and detected it early we could save more lives.

Living with a smoker increases a nonsmoker's chances of developing lung cancer by an estimated 20-30%, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. This suggests that even minimal exposure to secondhand smoke can have significant health risks and there is no safe level of exposure. It is important to take measures to protect oneself from secondhand smoke to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.

Radon is a natural occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil, and water from the natural decay of uranium. While levels in outdoor air pose a relatively low threat to human health, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings. You can’t see, smell, or taste it, but an elevated radon level in your home may be affecting the health of your family.

According to the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that 1 in 14 people will develop lung cancer during their lifetime. This statistic highlights the significant prevalence of lung cancer and emphasizes the importance of awareness, prevention, and early detection measures.