May 22, 2023 – Did you already know that the most recent research shows the link between severely symptomatic asthma And Lung cancer?
About 25 million Americans have asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract that makes the The inner lining of your lungs swellsBetween 5 and 10% of Americans with the disease have severe asthmaSevere asthma is characterised by the necessity for moderate to high doses of corticosteroids and other long-acting medications. Often these medications cannot control the asthma symptoms that asthmatics experience every night and most days of the week.
The inflammation attributable to asthma triggers attacks when patients inhale allergens comparable to pollen, dust or pollutants.
Lung cancer is also caused by inflammation within the respiratory tract, which might contribute to the event of tumors.
“Inflammation does indeed appear to be linked to malignancy,” said Dr. William L. Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society. “Inflammation caused by asthma may be one of the reasons why asthmatics are more likely to develop lung cancer.”
Severe asthma can also be characterised by FibroblastsCells that proceed Promote inflammation. Researchers also link fibroblasts to lung cancer.
“In a basic laboratory studyThe researchers found that invasive bronchial fibroblasts from asthma patients can activate lung cancer cells,” said Yi Guo, PhDassociate professor of health outcomes and biomedical informatics at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. “More studies are needed to examine this association in real patient populations.” (Guo is also co-author of a new study which found that patients with asthma were almost one and a half times more likely to develop cancer than patients with healthy airways.)
Researchers in the United Arab Emirates have found that lung cancer in patients with severe asthma is often not diagnosed until it has developed over three decades. This is important because it shows that inflammation from severe asthma can lead to long-term, minor damage to lung tissue. Authors of the study collaborate with Canadian researchers In addition, it has been found that patients with severe asthma are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive stage III or IV lung cancer and that physicians should consider severe asthma as an indicator of risk for this disease.
Read on to learn what factors may increase the risk of lung cancer in people with severe asthma and how you can reduce that risk.
What are the symptoms of severe asthma?
- Cough
- shortness of breath
- Panting
- Tightness in the chest
People with severe asthma may also experience rapid breathing and changes in heart rate, and the head and neck muscles may become strained by the stress of coughing or trying to get more air.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
There are two types of lung cancer. Adenocarcinomas occur in up to 85% of patients and are also related to a subtype called squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Small cell lung cancer, which occurs in only 15% of patients, grows and spreads more quickly. In patients with severe asthma, “the increased risk of lung cancer just isn't with adenocarcinomas, but is more common with small cell and squamous cell carcinoma,” Dahut said.
Symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A worsening or persistent cough
- Chest pain
- shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Extreme fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
Some of the symptoms of lung cancer overlap with the signs of severe asthma. It is important that people with severe asthma tell their doctor about anything new that concerns them.
Should you get tested for lung cancer if you have severe asthma?
At this time, the recommendations for lung cancer screening apply to patients who:
- You have a smoking history of 20 pack years or more and
- Do you smoke now or have you quit within the last 15 years, and
- Are between 50 and 80 years old
However, the risks can be very specific, so it is important that everyone does what is right for them individually.
“It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations,” said Albert Rizzo, MDChief medical officer of the American Lung Association. “If there is a history of lung cancer in your family, you should also discuss this with your doctor.”
How can you reduce your risk of lung cancer if you have severe asthma?
To reduce the risk, it is important to:
- Keep a watch in your symptoms. Researchers in Norway Recently, it has been found that patients with only partially controlled lung cancer symptoms have a higher risk of lung cancer. If your asthma symptoms are well controlled, the chance of damage to your lung tissue is much lower.
- Ask about adjusting your medication.
“Some studies have also shown that patients taking inhaled Glucocorticoids reduce the risk of lung cancer,” said Dahut. (Glucocorticoids not only fight inflammation in severe asthma, but also in cancer.) - Do not smoke and avoid any passive smoking.
- Make your living space safer.
“Have your home tested for Radon gaswhich can increase your risk of lung cancer,” Rizzo said. - Avoid carcinogenic chemicals in your workplace. Diesel exhaustfor example, are associated with a higher risk of lung cancer. Avoid exposure on the way to work by rolling up the windows in traffic.
- Eat more vegatables and fruits. These foods contain powerful connections this can have a protective effect. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy and Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, which can reduce the risk of cancer. Leafy greens are rich in folate, which can also help prevent the disease. And think of orange: foods of this color, such as oranges, tangerines, peaches, papayas, red peppers and carrots, contain beta-cryptoxanthin, a pigment known to fight cancer.
- Exercise as much as possible. Ask your doctor to recommend light exercises that do not cause shortness of breath.
“The more control you have got over your risk aspects for lung cancer, the lower your possibilities will be,” Rizzo said. In short, there's so much you'll be able to do today to live an extended, healthier life.