Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among males in Singapore, and the third most common cancer among females.

While lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, it is also one of the most preventable.

Since cigarette smoking is the cause of over 90 per cent of lung cancer cases, avoiding smoking or quitting smoking can significantly lower a person’s risk of developing this disease.

“A smoker’s risk of lung cancer is 15 to 25 times that of a non-smoker,” says Clinical Associate Professor Daniel Tan, Senior Consultant, Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), a member of the SingHealth group.

“The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day and the number of years of smoking. Quitting at any age will significantly lower the risk,” he adds.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer typically takes years to develop and occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells develop into a tumour and disrupt the normal functioning of the lungs. Patients may experience a co​ugh that won’t go away, and be short of breath.

In its advanced stage, lung cancer can spread from one lung to the other, and further to the lymph nodes and organs such as the brain and liver. It can also spread to the bones.

There are two main types of lung cancer:

1) Non-small cell lung cancer: This is the more common of the two. Non-small cell lung cancer is further categorised into:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Large cell carcinoma

2) Small cell lung cancer: This type is more aggressive and usually affects heavy smokers. Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 10 per cent of all lung cancer cases. It tends to spread to the liver, bone and brain.

What are the causes and risk factors of lung cancer?

The causes and risk factors of lung cancer include:

  • Cigarette smoking
  • Pipe, cigar and marijuana smoking
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke (passive smoking) – this exposure especially affects the spouses of smokers who have a higher risk of developing lung cancer
  • Exposure to unsafe levels of workplace chemicals such as asbestos, coal gas, chromium, nickel, arsenic, vinyl chloride, and mustard gas.
    However, experts disagree on how much exposure to these carcinogens is dangerous
  • Exposure to unsafe levels of radon gas – radon gas is a radioactive gas produced from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. It is present in the air we breathe

“Other risk factors include a family history of lung cancer, excessive intake of alcohol, and smoking-related lung diseases such as emphysema,” says Clin Assoc Prof Tan.

See the next page for common symptoms of lung cancer, and how it is diagnosed.

See page 3 for treatment options for lung cancer.

See page 4 to learn how the latest drug therapy can lead to better outcomes. 

Ref: K21​

Check out other articles on cancer and lung cancer:

Top 10 Cancers in Singapore

8 Top Cancer-Fighting Foods

Must-Eat Foods for Cancer Patients

New Study Links Genetic Diversity in Asian Lung Cancer and Resistance to Treatment

Why Non-Smoking Asian Females Can Still Be at Risk of Lung Cancer

Why Asian Lung Cancer Tumours May Be Tougher to Treat