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Lung cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer in the world. This disease often shows no symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to detect until it reaches an advanced stage. The primary causes include smoking, air pollution, and exposure to toxic substances. Symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Make sure to keep reading, as this article will discuss the causes, symptoms, treatment methods, and ways to prevent it.
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In Indonesia, the number of lung cancer cases has increased over the past 20 years, making it the second most prevalent cancer. In 2018, approximately 30,023 new cases were recorded, rising to 38,904 cases in 2022. This increase highlights the importance of awareness regarding risk factors, early detection, and financial protection.
This disease occurs when cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that interfere with respiratory function. Since it often presents no symptoms in its early stages, lung cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging.
Lung cancer develops when cells in the lungs undergo mutations and grow uncontrollably. Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing lung cancer, whether due to lifestyle habits or environmental exposure. Here are some of the main risk factors:
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, with approximately 85% of lung cancer cases linked to this habit.
Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 harmful chemicals, including tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and benzene, which can damage lung cells.
Smokers have a 15-30 times higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers.
The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and the duration of smoking.
Fact: Quitting smoking, even after years of smoking, can still reduce the risk of lung cancer. After 10 years of quitting, a person's lung cancer risk decreases by up to 50% compared to active smokers.
Not only active smokers, but people who are frequently exposed to cigarette smoke, even if they do not smoke, are also at high risk of developing lung cancer.
Secondhand smoke contains over 70 carcinogenic substances that can harm the lungs.
Exposure to cigarette smoke at home or in the workplace can increase the risk of lung cancer by 20-30%.
Fact: Every year, approximately 1.2 million deaths worldwide are caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.
Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause lung inflammation and increase the risk of lung cancer.
Air contaminated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) can damage lung tissue.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps from the ground into buildings, is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
Fact: The WHO states that around 14% of lung cancer cases worldwide are caused by air pollution.
People working in certain industries have a higher risk of lung cancer due to exposure to toxic substances such as:
Asbestos: Inhaled tiny fibers can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Arsenic, nickel, chromium, and cadmium: Commonly found in mining, metal, and chemical industries.
Vehicle and factory emissions: Contain pollutants that can cause long-term lung damage.
Fact: Workers exposed to asbestos have a 4-5 times higher risk of developing lung cancer than other workers.
If a family member has had lung cancer, an individual's risk of developing the disease increases.
Genetic factors can contribute to a person’s susceptibility to lung cancer.
A combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as smoking or air pollution, can further increase the risk.
Fact: A person with a parent or sibling who has had lung cancer has twice the risk of developing the disease.
Certain chronic lung diseases can increase the risk of lung cancer, including:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Caused by long-term inflammation due to smoking or air pollution.
Pulmonary fibrosis: A disease that causes lung tissue to become stiff, increasing the risk of cell mutations.
Chronic lung infections: Recurrent infections like tuberculosis (TB) can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
Fact: COPD patients have four times the risk of developing lung cancer compared to healthy individuals.
Lung cancer often does not show symptoms in its early stages, which is why many cases are only detected at an advanced stage. However, some symptoms to watch out for include:
Persistent or worsening cough: Lasts more than 8 weeks and does not improve with standard treatment.
Chest pain: May be constant or appear when taking deep breaths, coughing, or laughing.
Shortness of breath: Caused by airway narrowing due to the tumor.
Coughing up blood: Can appear as blood-streaked mucus or fresh blood.
Unexplained weight loss: May indicate that cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Extreme fatigue: The body feels weak and lacks energy.
Hoarseness: May occur due to irritation or pressure on the vocal cords.
Recurring lung infections: Such as pneumonia or bronchitis that do not heal.
Fact: Around 40% of lung cancer patients only become aware of their illness when it has already reached an advanced stage, as early symptoms are often non-specific.
To confirm a lung cancer diagnosis, doctors will conduct several tests, such as:
Chest X-ray: Detects the presence of masses or abnormal shadows in the lungs.
CT Scan: Provides a more detailed image of the tumor’s size and location.
Lung Biopsy: A lung tissue sample is taken for laboratory analysis.
Blood Tests: Evaluates the patient’s overall condition and identifies cancer biomarkers.
Fact: High-resolution CT scans can detect lung cancer up to 20% more accurately compared to standard chest X-rays.
Lung cancer is classified into two main types:
Grows faster and more aggressively, often spreading to other organs before being detected.
Commonly occurs in heavy smokers, accounting for only about 15% of all lung cancer cases.
Responds better to chemotherapy compared to NSCLC.
The most common type of lung cancer (85% of all cases), consisting of three main subtypes:
Adenocarcinoma: Common in non-smokers and often develops in the outer areas of the lungs.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Closely linked to smoking, typically develops in the main airways of the lungs.
Large Cell Carcinoma: Grows quickly and can appear in any part of the lungs.
Fact: Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers, especially in women.
Treatment options depend on the stage of cancer and the patient’s condition. Some common treatment methods include:
Surgery: Removes the affected part of the lung.
Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Radiotherapy: Uses radiation to destroy cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy: Uses drugs that target specific mutations in cancer cells.
Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system fight cancer cells.
Although not all lung cancer cases can be prevented, the following steps can help reduce the risk:
Quit smoking
Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
Reduce exposure to air pollution
Maintain a healthy diet
Exercise regularly
Undergo regular health check-ups
Lung cancer is not only a health challenge but can also be a significant financial burden for patients and their families. The cost of lung cancer treatment includes various medical procedures such as diagnostic tests (CT scans, biopsies), surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, which can reach hundreds of millions of rupiah. Additionally, many lung cancer patients are forced to stop working, losing their primary source of income.
Therefore, having critical illness insurance like Oona Cancer Insurance is a wise step to reduce financial risks due to lung cancer, including early-stage diagnoses.
With Oona Cancer Insurance, you can receive comprehensive financial protection, including:
100% Cash Benefit Upon Diagnosis: If you are diagnosed with lung cancer at any stage, you will receive a cash benefit of up to IDR 500 million, which can be used for treatment costs or other needs.
No Medical Check-Up Required: No complicated medical tests are needed; simply answer four health-related questions during registration.
Affordable Premiums Starting at IDR 11,500 per Month: Maximum protection at a very affordable price.
The coverage amount can be used for hospital expenses, medications, therapy, or even daily needs such as transportation and living costs. Protection is available from age 18 up to 65 years and can be extended up to 70 years, providing long-term financial security.
Lung cancer is a serious disease that can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, especially by avoiding smoking and exposure to harmful substances. If you are at high risk, it is essential to undergo regular screenings and have financial protection through critical illness insurance.
Prevention is better than cure, but having financial protection is just as important. Do not let lung cancer drain your savings and assets that you have accumulated over the years. With Oona Cancer Insurance, you can have peace of mind and focus on recovery without worrying about costs.
