Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. The affected lung cell tissues begin to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. The lungs then cannot absorb enough oxygen, causing infection and other diseases. Cancer can spread, causing blood clots, organ failure, and fatal infections. Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer affecting people in the country. However, advances in treatments have significantly decreased lung cancer-related deaths in recent years.

Causes of lung cancer
Some significant causes of lung cancer are:
Exposure to radioactive gas
Exposure to asbestos
Inhalation of hazardous chemicals
Continuous exposure to industrial pollution or diesel exhaust
Family history of lung cancer

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
Studies show that lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally, mainly because it does not give out any symptoms in the early stages. Some symptoms mimic other diseases, making them more difficult to diagnose. The following are the most common signs and symptoms of lung cancer:
A persistent cough that does not respond to any treatment
Bloody spit or phlegm
Chest pain while laughing or coughing
Shortness of breath
Hoarseness
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Recurring or frequent infections
Wheezing without a history of respiratory diseases

If cancer spreads from the lungs to other body parts, one could experience bone pain in the back or hips. Other symptoms of lung cancer that have spread to other organs include jaundice, swelling of lymph nodes, and changes in the nervous system leading to weakness, numbness, balance problems, or seizures.

Lung cancer treatment
The two types of lung cancer are Non-small cell (NSCLC) and Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Doctors begin treatment based on the type of cancer, the stage, the severity of the symptoms, age, overall health condition, and any other pre-existing conditions. The common approaches for treating lung cancer include:
Surgery to remove the cancer tissues and cells
Chemotherapy before or after surgery to shrink the cancer cells
Radiation therapy using high-energy X-rays to kill cancerous cells
Targeted therapy to prevent the growth of cancer cells
Immunotherapy is an approach where doctors use the patient’s immune system to fight against cancer cells.
A combination of one or more of these approaches is used to treat NSCLC, while radiation and chemotherapy are more commonly used for treating SCLC.

Foods to help with lung cancer
One must follow a meal plan that includes all the required nutrients during treatment, manage the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, and regain strength. Nutritious foods to eat for lung cancer are:
Brown rice
Eggs
Five servings of fruits and vegetables
Healthy fats from nuts and seeds
Lean meat
Low-fat dairy products
Nuts and nut butter
Oatmeal
Soy
Whole wheat bread and pasta

Natural remedies for treating lung cancer symptoms
Research is ongoing to find alternative remedies for lung cancer to control the high rate of deaths. Integrative treatment combines standard therapies and complementary therapies to improve symptoms, reduce pain and improve a patient’s quality of life. Some complementary therapies that can work as effective lung cancer remedies are:

Biofeedback
Yoga and meditation
Tai Chi
Massage and reflexology
Naturopathy
Regular exercise

When adopting alternative or complementary therapies, it is important to remember they may help manage one or a few symptoms but cannot cure cancer. Do not take any supplements or alternative treatments without consulting the oncologist.