Lung cancer is one of the top five most common causes of death in Australian males, with close to 5,000 male deaths recorded in 2023 and more than 7,600 Australian men diagnosed with the disease that same year.
With Men’s Health Week recently focusing on the major health issues affecting males, we thought we’d take a closer look at lung cancer’s impact on men in this month’s blog.
What is Lung Cancer?
It occurs when abnormal cells in the lungs grow in an uncontrolled way and form a malignant tumour in the lung. Tumours that start in the lung are known as primary lung cancer. However, people can also develop secondary or metastatic lung tumours due to cancer that has spread from other parts of the body.
There are two types :
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) – which accounts for around 85% of cases and includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) – which accounts for around 15% of cases. SCLC usually begins in the middle of the lungs and spreads more quickly than NSCLC.
As noted by Cancer Australia, lung cancer was the most common cause of death from cancer in 2021 and is expected to continue to be so over coming years.
Symptoms
In the early stages, symptoms may not be noticeable. In later stages of the disease, symptoms may include:
- A new and persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Shortness of breath
- Increased hoarseness, wheezing or changes to the voice
- Chest or shoulder pain
- Coughing or spitting up blood
- A chest infection that lasts more than 3 weeks or keeps coming back
- Enlarged fingertips
- Abdominal and/or joint pain
- Fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
These symptoms may not mean that you have the disease. However, if you do experience any of these symptoms, it is best to speak with your GP immediately to find out why they may be occurring. An early diagnosis will lead to better treatment outcomes.
Risk Factors
There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. These include:
- Smoking tobacco or exposure to second-hand smoke.
- A family history of the disease
- Older age, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 60
- Significant exposure to certain substances, such as asbestos, radon or occupational substances such as arsenic, cadmium, nickel, diesel fumes and soot
- Having and existing lung disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Smoking is the number one risk factor for developing the disease and accounts for 85% of all cases.
Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with lung cancer than women, due to their increased likelihood of smoking and occupational and environmental exposure to cancer-causing substances
According to Cancer Council Australia, smoking causes about 90% of this cancer in men and there is a 1 in 15 chance of a man being diagnosed with the disease before the age of 85.
Males are also more likely to use e-cigarettes or vapes. While there is currently no evidence that these cause lung cancer, Lung Foundation Australia notes that studies have found people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes, which is the leading cause of lung cancer.
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis is normally achieved using one or more of the following tests:
- Blood tests
- Imaging scans – including x-ray, CT scan, PET scan
- Spirometry or lung function test
- Biopsy
- Sputum cytology
How is it treated?
There are a number of different treatment options available, depending on your prognosis and the progression and growth of the disease. Treatment options generally include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Thermal ablation
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Palliative care
Your doctor will discuss the treatment options available to you and recommend the best course of action.
To make a booking with one of our GPs to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your lungs or overall health in general, visit our Online Bookings page or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.
Where can I find out more information?
For more information on this topic, visit:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/overview-of-cancer-in-australia-2023
- Cancer Australia – https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/lung-cancer/overview
- Cancer Council – https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/lung-cancer
- Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/lung-cancer
- Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Lung-cancer
- Lung Foundation Australia – https://lungfoundation.com.au/patients-carers/conditions/lung-cancer/overview/
- World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer