The man diagnosed with lung cancer said that he had previously been a healthy young adult. From a young age, he developed the habit of smoking and often spent time with a group of friends who also smoked regularly.

Recently, the 29-year-old man (Chinese) shared the difficult period he went through after learning that he had lung cancer. Both he and his family found it extremely hard to accept the diagnosis, even though it was the reality.

Sharing his “painful, hard-earned” experience, the patient said that he had always considered himself a healthy young man. Since his youth, he had smoked and frequently associated with friends who smoked. Although he was aware of the harmful effects of cigarettes, he never imagined that lung cancer could happen to him.

It was not until the disease was discovered and he began chemotherapy that he had to battle side effects such as vomiting, fatigue, and lack of energy. At present, he has overcome the most difficult stage, and his condition is responding well to treatment thanks to strict adherence to therapy and an optimistic mindset to fight the disease.

He admitted that before being diagnosed with lung cancer, he often experienced four warning signs: throat irritation, shortness of breath, shoulder pain, and widespread skin rashes. However, because he trusted his physical strength and believed himself to be healthy, he unintentionally ignored these symptoms.

How dangerous is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a condition in which malignant tumors form and grow in the lungs. Over time, these tumors increase in size, begin to invade nearby tissues, and may even spread to distant organs (metastasize) in advanced stages.

There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Small cell lung cancer: accounts for about 15–20% of cases and occurs most commonly in people who smoke or are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke.

• Non-small cell lung cancer: makes up about 80–85% of lung cancer cases and is more common than small cell lung cancer. This group includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Both types of lung tumors present very similar symptoms. In the early stages, patients may show signs such as prolonged persistent cough, cough with phlegm or blood, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain (which worsens when laughing, breathing deeply, or coughing), fatigue and general weakness, hoarseness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Illustrative image

Illustrative image

Is lung cancer hereditary?

Lung cancer is not a contagious disease, but it does have a hereditary component. People who have close family members with lung cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease compared to the general population. For this reason, family members of lung cancer patients are often advised to undergo regular cancer screening tests.

Is lung cancer contagious?

Many people wonder whether lung cancer is contagious, especially when someone in the family has the disease. When seeing a lung cancer patient coughing frequently or violently, some worry about transmission through breathing or daily contact. However, cancer in general — including lung cancer — is caused by cellular mutations, not by viruses or bacteria, so it is not contagious.

Therefore, lung cancer cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Lung cancer patients are not sources of infection and do not spread the disease to their surroundings. The main causes of lung cancer are smoking and long-term exposure to polluted or toxic environments. Any claims that lung cancer can be transmitted are unfounded.

Who is at risk of developing lung cancer?

• People who smoke heavily or have smoked for a long time, as well as non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke.

• People who work in or are frequently exposed to toxic chemicals.

• People who have had other cancers and received radiation therapy to the chest area.

• People with a family history of lung cancer.

• People with a history of lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or tuberculosis.
  
  
  

What should be done to prevent lung cancer?

• Do not smoke; quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer.

• Maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits.

• Have regular health checkups, especially if experiencing persistent cough or chest pain.

• Undergo annual lung cancer screening.