Learn about lung cancer and how mutated cells form cancerous tumors in the lungs. Discover the different causes of lung cancer, such as genetics, chemical exposure, and smoking. Finally, learn about different treatments for lung cancer.

What Is Lung Cancer?

Did you know that your body has millions of tiny cells? Think of the cells as workers in a factory. Each cell has a job that makes your body work.

Some cells work to help you breathe, some cells work to help you think. The cells are constantly splitting and creating new cells so that the jobs always get done.

Sometimes, cells get their jobs mixed up and create cells that hurt our bodies. When this happens, a tumor is formed. Tumors are masses that grow inside our bodies.

Some tumors are not dangerous, while others are very harmful to us. The harmful tumors can grow and spread in our bodies. This is known as cancer. If the harmful tumor grows in our lungs, this is called lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a very serious disease. While there are many different ways that doctors can treat it, this is a disease that people can die from. However, there are some things that you can do to avoid getting lung cancer.

1. Main points:

Text highlights the importance of cells in our body, how they can sometimes form harmful tumors like cancer, particularly lung cancer, and implies that there are ways to prevent lung cancer.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the main functions of cells in our body as mentioned in the text?
• Contextual Analysis: Why is the text focusing on lung cancer specifically?
• Linguistic Analysis: How does the text use the analogy of a factory to explain the role of cells?

3. Further Discussion:

• If cells are like workers in a factory, what might happen if too many workers are doing the wrong job?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "Some cells work to help you breathe, some cells work to help you think."
• Contextual Analysis: "If the harmful tumor grows in our lungs, this is called lung cancer."
• Linguistic Analysis: "Think of the cells as workers in a factory. Each cell has a job that makes your body work."

What Causes Lung Cancer?

Anyone can get lung cancer at any time, but there are some things that increase the chance of getting it. The most common cause is smoking tobacco. Tobacco is found in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. About 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.

A person can also develop lung cancer if they are exposed to secondhand smoke. This happens when someone lives with a smoker and is exposed to the smoke all the time.

Smoking is not the only reason why someone might get lung cancer. Another leading cause is exposure to asbestos or radon, which are both dangerous substances found in nature.

Lung cancer can also develop due to genetic reasons. If someone’s parent, grandparent, or sibling gets lung cancer, their family members have an increased chance of getting it as well.

1. Main points:

The text discusses various causes of lung cancer, emphasizing smoking, secondhand smoke, exposure to asbestos or radon, and genetic factors.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the main causes of lung cancer mentioned in the text?
• Contextual Analysis: Why is the text specifically focusing on smoking as a leading cause of lung cancer?
• Socio-cultural Analysis: How does living with a smoker contribute to the risk of developing lung cancer according to the text?

3. Further Discussion:

• If avoiding smoking can reduce the risk of lung cancer, what other lifestyle choices do you think could help in staying healthy?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "The most common cause is smoking tobacco… Another leading cause is exposure to asbestos or radon… Lung cancer can also develop due to genetic reasons."
• Contextual Analysis: "About 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking."
• Socio-cultural Analysis: "This happens when someone lives with a smoker and is exposed to the smoke all the time."

Lung Cancer Signs & Treatments

Many cases of lung cancer do not show signs until the cancer has spread, but it’s important to know the early signs so that you can take proper steps to treat it as soon as possible. Signs include, but are not limited to, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, wheezing, headache, chest pain, and cough. If you begin to develop any of these, it’s important that you go see a doctor soon.

There are many different options when it comes to the treatment of lung cancer. Doctors usually recommend a treatment based on the size and location of the tumor.

One of the most common treatments for lung cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is when drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells. Sometimes, chemotherapy will make the person feel very sick and lose their hair.

Another treatment option for lung cancer is radiation. If the cancer is caught early, many doctors will recommend this treatment. Radiation is when x-rays are aimed at the tumor in order to make it shrink and hopefully disappear.

Sometimes doctors will offer surgery as a treatment option. The doctors are able to go inside the person’s body and shrink or remove the tumor.

1. Main points:

The text describes the early signs of lung cancer, various treatment options like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, and emphasizes the importance of early detection and doctor consultation.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are some early signs of lung cancer mentioned in the text?
• Contextual Analysis: How does the stage of lung cancer influence the choice of treatment?
• Thematic Analysis: What are the different treatment options for lung cancer outlined in the text?

3. Further Discussion:

• Why do you think it’s important to know the early signs of lung cancer and see a doctor quickly?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "Signs include, but are not limited to, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, wheezing, headache, chest pain, and cough."
• Contextual Analysis: "Doctors usually recommend a treatment based on the size and location of the tumor."
• Thematic Analysis: "One of the most common treatments for lung cancer is chemotherapy… Another treatment option for lung cancer is radiation… Sometimes doctors will offer surgery as a treatment option."

Lesson Summary

Lung cancer is a disease that can be deadly, and it causes tumors, or masses of bad cells, to grow in the lungs. Even though anyone can get it, it’s usually caused by smoking, exposure to certain dangerous substances, or genetics.

Treatments include chemotherapy, which is when drugs are used to kill the bad cells; radiation, which is when x-rays are used to shrink the tumor; and surgery.