A 90s artist was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer! Why did he get lung cancer when he was young and didn't smoke?

Recently, the topic #Youth 3 contestant Jiang Zhihao suffers from lung cancer# has become a hot search, attracting widespread attention!

According to information, Jiang Zhihao was born in April 1996. In January 2021, he participated in a talent show as a singer and actor. He was selected for the official trainee list of "Youth With You 3". With his sunny and handsome image, he attracted the attention and love of a large number of fans.

But recently, Jiang Zhihao posted a message on social media saying goodbye to the world, revealing that he was in the late stage of lung cancer. While countless people felt sorry for him, they also raised awareness of lung cancer.

The incidence of lung cancer ranks first in my country! Why do young people who don't smoke still get lung cancer?

The latest data survey shows that there will be approximately 4.8247 million new cancer cases in my country in 2022. Among them, lung cancer ranks first in the number of cases. In 2022, there were 1.0606 million new cases of lung cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in my country.

Smoking has always been the main risk factor for lung cancer, and the middle-aged and elderly are the most susceptible group. But now, the number of lung cancer cases among non-smokers is gradually increasing, which is related to environmental, dietary and genetic factors. Experts say that young people now often stay up late and work overtime, which leads to excessive fatigue, poor body resistance, reduced immunity to carcinogenic factors, and increased probability of cancer.

At the same time, air pollution is also a cause of lung cancer that cannot be ignored at present , such as formaldehyde and radon gas produced by indoor decoration. According to research data from the World Health Organization, lung cancer cases caused by radon gas pollution account for 3% to 14% of the total number of cases worldwide, which is the second largest high-risk factor for lung cancer after smoking. Among lung cancer cases in China, 12% to 16% of patients suffer from cancer due to radon gas . Radon gas is not uncommon in our daily life. Common building materials such as marble and granite are one of the important sources. When the radioactive elements in the stone decay, radon gas will be released. Foundation soil, domestic water and household fuels may also produce radon gas.

Early detection of lung cancer is very serious, these symptoms should not be ignored

Because lung cancer lacks typical symptoms, most lung cancer patients are already in the advanced stage when diagnosed, missing the best time for treatment. According to Jiang Zhihao's recollection, he had coughing symptoms very early, but he never paid attention to it until he had pain in his cervical spine and went for a check-up. The cancer cells had already spread and metastasized over a large area. Early detection and early treatment are the best ways to improve prognosis.

We must be alert to these clues about lung cancer!

1. Cough

Patients often experience paroxysmal coughing, which is accompanied by incomplete coughing or white foamy sputum, and is not easily relieved by cough suppressants. If the cough persists and is accompanied by sputum or blood in the sputum, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

2. Chest pain

Some tumors may invade the pleura after fibrosis, causing chest pain when inhaling. When the tumor invades the ribs and compresses the intercostal nerves, sternal pain may occur.

3. Continuous low fever

Some cancer cells release special substances that cause the patient to suddenly have fever symptoms, which is cancer-related fever. Especially if there is an abnormal and persistent low fever, it is best to get checked in time.

4. Hoarseness

Hoarseness may also occur in the early stages of lung cancer. This is because the tumor is close to the throat and can easily invade the nerves of the vocal cords, causing hoarseness.

5. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

When the lungs are compressed or blocked by a tumor, respiratory function is affected, leading to difficulty breathing. If you feel short of breath even without significant physical activity, this may be an important warning sign of lung cancer.

These 3 types of people are prone to lung cancer and must be screened regularly

3 high-risk groups:

① Long-term heavy smokers or those who are exposed to second-hand smoke pollution for a long time.

② Those with a family history of lung cancer.

③ Those who are exposed to dust and toxic volatile gases for a long time, and those who have suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for many years and other recurrent lung infections.

Lung cancer screening is recommended for people aged 50 to 74 years with the following high-risk factors :

① Smoking: Number of smoking pack-years ≥ 30 pack-years (number of smoking pack-years = number of packs smoked per day multiplied by number of smoking years), including former smokers with a pack-year of ≥ 30 pack-years but who have quit smoking for less than 15 years.

② Passive smoking: living or working in the same room with a smoker for ≥ 20 years.

③Suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

④ Have a history of occupational exposure for ≥ 1 year, including exposure to asbestos, radon, beryllium, chromium, cadmium, nickel, silicon, coal smoke and coal dust.

⑤ A first-degree relative (parents, children, and siblings) has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Is it difficult to detect lung cancer during a regular physical examination? Low-dose spiral CT should be done

Routine physical examinations focus more on assessing health status and lack professionalism and accuracy in cancer screening. Although some cancers with more obvious symptoms can be found, some cancers do not have obvious or typical manifestations in the early stages, so they are easily missed by ordinary physical examinations.

It is recommended that people at high risk of lung cancer undergo low-dose spiral CT of the chest to screen for lung cancer.

l If no obvious abnormality is found during the examination, a follow-up examination can be conducted once a year.

Those who test positive for lung nodules should first consult an oncologist to obtain professional advice on the treatment of clinically suspected lung nodules and proceed to the next step of examination.

The amount of radiation produced by low-dose spiral CT examinations is very small, and the radiation dose of the examination is within a safe range. For high-risk groups, the benefits of the examination far outweigh the radiation risks.