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Lung Cancer: The Causes, Risk Factors, and Importance of Clinical Trials
Much like any debilitating condition, there are certain causes and risk factors linked to lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 236,740 new cases are expected to develop during this year in the United States alone. Furthermore, lung cancer makes up for 25% of all cancer-related deaths, making it the leading cause in the country. For these reasons, it’s important to be mindful of one’s health, as well as read up on what can be done to stay healthy. With this in mind, here are a few things to know about the causes, risk factors, and the importance of non small cell lung cancer stage 4 clinical trials in your area and abroad.

When discussing the causes of lung cancer, smoking is an essential topic. It’s the leading cause of all lung cancer cases in the world, not only impacting those that smoke on a routine basis but individuals that have been exposed to secondhand smoke, whether at work, home, or otherwise. Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens, which are what increases one’s risk of developing cancer down the road. Carcinogens directly impact lung tissue, negatively impacting the ability to repair it as well as it would have been able to otherwise. This can result in cells behaving erratically, leading to cancer down the line. When managers of non small cell lung cancer clinical trials are recruiting, they may place emphasis on current or previous smokers.

Radon has also been cited as a major cause of lung cancer worldwide. For those that don’t know, radon is a type of colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that forms when radioactive metals, such as radium and thorium, break down in soil, rocks, and groundwater. The primary way that one is exposed to radon is at home or at work, such as through the cracks between the walls of homes and buildings. It’s important to note that one’s likelihood of being exposed to radon can be compounded by such methods as wood and coal burning, as this can lead to other particles being brought into the open air. It’s recommended that you invest in a radon test kit, which can be used at home, or speak to a repairman to fix your home if the matter persists.

One’s likelihood of developing lung cancer can also come as a result of prolonged exposure to other hazardous gases and chemicals. Depending on employment, for example, an individual’s level of risk may be different compared to someone else’s. Are you working at a location where exposure to such elements as asbestos, chromium, and uranium on a regular basis is common? If so, you should consider ways to protect not only yourself but coworkers as well. Most workplaces that heavily deal with the aforementioned materials have safety protocols in place, though it’s worth discussing these further with your employer so that you stay up to speed.

Now that you know a bit about the causes of lung cancer, it’s important to discuss risk factors, which clinical trial drugs for lung cancer place emphasis on during studies. One’s family medical history is perhaps the most prominent. For example, has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with lung cancer? Whether it was someone in your immediate or extended family, be cognizant of the fact that your risk of developing it will be higher compared to someone whose family medical history shows no traces of lung cancer. This is especially true if generations prior have shown positive cancer diagnoses. For this reason, it’s important to speak to your primary care provider for guidance on warning signs to look out for and, more importantly, what to do in the case that said signs arise.

Now that you have a better understanding of what causes lung cancer, as well as factors that may put one at risk, it’s important to discuss clinical trials. For those that don’t know, new clinical trials for lung cancer are ongoing around the world. These are designed to test experimental drugs and therapies that, in theory, assist in the prevention and curing of cancer in patients. These trials are supported by not only the rigorous work of medical professionals but the participation of volunteers with different backgrounds and medical histories. Depending on your own health, you may be able to volunteer as well.

Keep in mind, however, that eligibility will vary from one clinical trial to the next. Lung cancer clinical trials tend to recruit volunteers based on certain factors. For example, clinical trial managers may be looking for volunteers that have already been diagnosed compared to those that are completely healthy. Additionally, volunteers can be gauged based on their physical activity, whether in regard to consistent walking, intense exercise, and the like. These are just a few factors that clinical trial managers will consider when selecting volunteers to move forward with trials.
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