World Lung Cancer Day is observed every year on August 1. The day aims to spread awareness about lung cancer and educate people about the disease. As part of the normal functioning of cells, they divide and make more copies of themselves. However, in certain cases, they undergo mutations wherein these cells continue to make several copies of cells when they shouldn’t. When these damaged cells divide uncontrollably, they create masses of cells which are also known as tumours. These tumours prevent your organs from functioning properly.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths around the world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2020 alone, lung cancer claimed the lives of around 1.8 million people. Lung cancer is a deadly disease wherein the cancer cells start to develop in the lungs. These eventually lead to tumours in the lungs and prevent the organ from functioning.

WHO says that while smoking tobacco (including cigarettes, cigars, and pipes) is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, it can also affect non-smokers. Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, occupational hazards (such as asbestos, radon and certain chemicals), air pollution, hereditary cancer syndromes, and previous chronic lung diseases.

Lung cancer can also lead to several other health complications. Here, take a look at some of the complications of lung cancer.

Lung cancer can lead to shortness of breath if the cancer cells grow and block the airways. It can also lead to fluid accumulation around the lungs and heart which makes it difficult to exhale when you breathe.

Lung cancer also also bleeding in your airways and this makes you cough up blood. The bleeding can get severe at times.

When lung cancer spreads, it can cause severe pain. It can spread to the lining of a lung or to another area of the body, such as a bone.

Lung cancer also leads to fluid accumulation in the chest which is also known as pleural effusion. This fluid usually collects around the space that surrounds the affected lung cavity. Pleural effusion can also be a cause of shortness of breath.

Lung cancer usually spreads to other parts of the body such as the brain and bones. When cancer spreads, it can cause pain, nausea, headaches and several other symptoms. These symptoms also depend on the organ that the cancer affects.

Smoking can damage your lungs and also lead to severe lung diseases such as lung cancer. Therefore, it is important that you stop smoking.

Practice breathing exercises every day. This will help to improve your lungs’ capacity and also keep your lungs healthy.

Make sure the indoor spaces are clean and free of dust. Use air purifiers to keep your home clean and dust-free.

It is important that you eat healthy and that will aid in keeping your lungs healthy. Moreover, a good diet can help to keep the heart healthy and when you have a healthy heart, it also works to keep your lungs healthy.

Exercising can help to keep your lungs healthy and therefore, it is important that you exercise daily. It is not just good for your lungs but also for your heart and overall health.

Much like smoking, vaping should also be avoided. Tobacco in any and every form should not be used as it damages the lungs.

Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars. If you live or work with a person who smokes, urge them to quit. At the very least, ask them to smoke outside.