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Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one third of all women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetimes (1). Lung cancer is the most prominent form of non skin cancer in the U.S., accounting for about 30% of cancer deaths in men and 25% of cancer deaths in women (2).
Cancer is a general term that applies to a group of diseases which are characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells (1). Cells affected by cancer are called malignant cells. In healthy cells, cell division occurs in a systematic fashion in order to supply news cells for growth and replace worn-out or damaged cells. Cancer cells, on the other hand, divide in a haphazard manner. When these cells result in a mass, it is known as a malignant tumor. As opposed to benign tumors that are typically harmless and do not spread, malignant tumors have the potential to grow out of control and spread throughout the body.
Cancer is almost always the result of abnormalities in the genetic material of cells. These abnormalities can stem from exposure to carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, or chemicals. Other times, cancer-causing agents are present in the genetic material that is present at birth (1).
Because of the complexity of the subject, the cancer research community has not come to a consensus on what specifically causes cancer. That is, they cannot determine why when two people exposed to the same carcinogens, one may develop cancer and the other may not. However, they have identified certain risk factors. These include diet, tobacco use, genetic history, and working environments (1).
The treatment of cancer is highly dependent on location of the cancer in the body and the severity of the condition. Among other methods, doctors may try to remove a malignant tumor via surgery, destroy the cancer with radiation (radiation therapy) or chemicals (chemotherapy), and/or enhance the patient's immune system through biologic therapy.
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