How is lung cancer detected? How is it treated?

Lung cancer is detected and treated in several different ways.

Detection: Diagnosing lung cancer typically starts with a physical exam, during which your doctor will listen to your lungs, looking for any unusual sounds that could signify the presence of an abnormality such as a tumor. Your doctor might also order imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans to help detect tumors or abnormalities. In some cases, tissue samples may be taken from the lungs and examined under a microscope for signs of cancer cells. This is known as a biopsy procedure.

Treatment: Depending on the type and stage of lung cancer, treatment can involve surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy to shrink tumors, targeted drug therapies to target specific types of tumors, immunotherapy to boost the body’s natural defenses against cancer cells or proton beam therapy which uses high energy protons rather than conventional X-rays for more precise targeting of tumor areas.
In addition to these treatments there are also various lifestyle changes you can make in order manage symptoms associated with lung cancer such as quitting smoking, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and other pollutants (especially indoors), eating nutrient rich foods that support healing along with other measures like increased exercise and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation. Working with your healthcare team can provide guidance on how best treat your particular type/stage and outlook for fighting it successfully.