Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men and women in the United States and the number one cause of cancer deaths worldwide. At The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute, board-certified pulmonologists Ashkan Naraghi, MD, and Dan Naim, MD, provide lung cancer screening and smoking cessation programs at their practice in Beverly Hills, California. To learn how you can reduce your risk for lung cancer, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Cancer is a disease that causes cells in your body to grow uncontrollably. Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs. There are two main types of lung cancer:
Small cell lung cancer is less common than the non-small cell type. Almost all people who get this form of lung cancer are heavy smokers.
Non-small cell lung cancer is a broad term that encompasses many types of lung cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma.
Lung cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms in its early stages, which is why routine screening at The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute is so important. Screening can detect lung cancer before the disease is advanced enough to cause symptoms. Lung cancer screening typically involves low-dose computed tomography (LDTC), a noninvasive imaging test.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:
Many of these symptoms are similar to those of other lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment at Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.
A variety of factors can increase your risk of lung cancer. Smoking cigarettes and exposure to secondhand smoke are two major risk factors that you can control. Quitting smoking can dramatically reduce your risk of lung cancer, even if you’ve smoked for many years.
Other risk factors for lung cancer include:
If you’re a smoker or have a history of heavy smoking, and are between ages 55-80, you should get screened for lung cancer on a yearly basis.
The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute aims to prevent disease whenever possible. They help you reduce your risk of lung cancer with smoking cessation programs, which may include counseling, behavior therapy, and medications. Other ways to reduce your risk of lung cancer include:
If you have lung cancer symptoms or are at a high risk of developing this disease, call The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute or schedule an appointment online today.