LUNG CANCER AND

TOBACCO USE

Right lung=3 lobesLeft lung=2 lobesAir enters lungs through tracheaTrachea divides into bronchiBronchi divide into bronchiolesAlveoli are the air sacs at the end of the bronchiolesPleura = lining of the lungs

What is the function of the lungs?

What is lung cancer?

• Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

• These cells develop into tumors and the tumors disrupt the proper function of the lung.

• Cough that does not go away• Breathing trouble, such as shortness of breath• Constant chest pain• Coughing up blood• A hoarse voice• Frequent lung infections• Feeling tired all the time• Weight loss with no known cause 

Symptoms

United States lung cancer facts

American Cancer Society, 2007 www.cancer.org

Estimated new cases and deaths from lung cancer in the United States in 2007:

New cases: 213,380Deaths: 160,390 (29% of all cancer deaths)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women

More than 87% of lung cancers are smoking related

More Americans die each year of lung cancer than from breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined

About 390 new cases each year in North Dakota.

It is estimated that 330 Lung cancer deaths will occur in North Dakota this year.

North Dakota lung cancer facts

American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2008

Lung/Bronchus cancer rates1980-2005

7

Age-adjusted rate per 100,000

North Dakota lung and bronchus cancer by gender, 1980-2005

0102030405060708090

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

Year

Male - mortalityFemale - mortalityMale - incidenceFemale - incidence

Age-adjusted rate per 100,000

Lung cancer mortality rates, IHS regions and U.S. all races, 1999-2003

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

US All R

aces

All IHS R

egions

Northern

Plains

Alaska

East

Pacific

Coast

South

ern Plains

South

west

Age

-adj

uste

d ra

te p

er 1

00,0

00

Both Sexes Males Females

9

Screening

• No approved screening test proven to improve survival or detect localized disease

• Clinical studies are under way

Diagnosis

• Physical exam• Chest X-ray• CT Scan• PET Scan• MRI • Sputum sample• Bronchoscopy• Biopsy

Chest Xray

PET Scan

CT Scan

Primary Risk Factors

Tobacco use

&

Secondhand Smoke

•Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society.

•More than 87% of lung cancers are smoking related

 

Secondhand smoke

• Each year about 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke.

What about secondhand smoke?

  

Being in a nonsmoking section of a restaurant for 2 hours =

Being in a smoky home for one day =

Being in a smoky bar =

Mayo Clinic 

To learn what you can do to make a difference with secondhand smoke?

www.breatheND.com

What can you do?

Spit tobacco is not harmless

• Smokeless (spit) tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes – smokeless tobacco also causes serious health problems!

• Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents.

Consequences of spit tobacco use

• Tooth discoloration and staining

• Tooth abrasion/worn teeth

• Cavities• Stained tongue/bad

breath• Tarter buildup and

gingivitis• Receding gums• Gum disease

• Addiction• Precancerous mouth

lesions• Oral cancers and other

cancers• Heart problems

Warning signs of oral cancer 

• A sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal

• A lump or red/white patch in the mouth

• Prolonged sore throat

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

• Restricted movement of the tongue or jaw

Pain is rarely an early symptom!

Oral cancer-deadly to ignore

Precancerous lesion Oral cancer

Other risk factors

• Exposure to asbestos and toxic chemicals

• Environmental contamination

• Chronic lung inflammation /scarring

• Family history

Treatment

• Surgery

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation Therapy

Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society.

By quitting tobacco use you significantly reduce your risk of all cancers.

It is preventable!

Quit tobacco use today

Seek help in quitting by:

•Becoming familiar with the medications and combinations of medications available. •Contacting your local health department•Contacting your physician•Calling the North Dakota Tobacco Quitline

Is a resource for:

• Tobacco users

• Family members & friends

• Health care professionals

      Supported by North Dakota Department of Health with funding from• Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) funds appropriated by ND legislature

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant

Hours that you can speak to someone direct are:

• Monday-Thursday 7:00am – 8:00pm(CT)• Friday 7:00am – 7:00pm(CT)• Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm(CT)

– Voice mail available 24 hours/day

–Quit Tips audio library also available

• Every caller receives a thorough initial assessment

• May also receive up to 5 additional  counseling sessions

• Special protocols for certain populations• Will refer callers to local cessation programs if needed

Free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

Free 28 day supply of your choice of nicotine patch, gum or Lozenge to qualified enrollees

For The Directory of North Dakota Tobacco Cessation Programs In Your Area:

                               

www.ndhealth.gov/tobacco