Lung cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the cells of the lung. Malignant means that it can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. When cancer starts in lung cells, it is called primary lung cancer.

The lung is part of the respiratory system. You use your lungs when you breathe. The lungs are in the chest, one on each side of the heart. The right lung has 3 main parts, called lobes. The left lung is a bit smaller and has 2 lobes. The lungs are cushioned and protected by a thin covering called the pleura.

Cells in the lung sometimes change and no longer grow or behave normally. These changes may lead to benign tumours such as hamartoma and papilloma. Benign tumours are not cancerous. But in some cases, changes to lung cells can cause cancer.

Lung cancers are divided into non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the type of cell in which the cancer started.

Non–small cell lung cancer usually starts in glandular cells on the outer part of the lung. This type of cancer is called adenocarcinoma. Non–small cell lung cancer can also start in flat, thin cells called squamous cells. These cells line the bronchi, which are the large tubes, or airways, that branch off from the trachea, or windpipe, into the lungs. This type of cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Large cell carcinoma is another type of non–small cell lung cancer, but it is less common. There are also several rare types of non–small cell lung cancer. These include sarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Small cell lung cancer usually starts in cells that line the bronchi in the centre of the lungs. The main types of small cell lung cancer are small cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma (mixed tumour with squamous or glandular cells).

Other types of cancer can spread to the lung, but this is not the same disease as primary lung cancer. Cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the lung is called lung metastasis. It is not treated in the same way as primary lung cancer. Find out more about lung metastasis.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
A sign is something that can be observed and recognized by a doctor or healthcare professional (for example, a rash). A symptom is something that only the person experiencing it can feel and know (for example, pain or tiredness). The signs and symptoms of lung cancer can also be caused by other health conditions. It is important to have any unusual symptoms checked by a doctor.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:
a cough that worsens or doesn’t go away
chest pain that is constant and made worse by deep breathing or coughing
blood-stained sputum (mucus and other matter coughed up from the lungs)
shortness of breath
wheezing
frequent chest infections (bronchitis or pneumonia)
fatigue
hoarseness
loss of appetite
weight loss
collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
severe shoulder pain
caused by a superior sulcus tumour pressing on a nerve
Horner’s syndrome
severe shoulder pain
problems in one eye
drooping or weakness of the eyelid
smaller pupil

Home Remedies For Lung Cancer:
Despite taking medications prescribed by the doctor, you could go through a couple of home remedies that will certainly help you feel better. Be sure you have taken the doctors suggestions and advice before using any of them. There are separate home remedies for the symptoms. Go ahead with your read to know them!

1. Try To Relax:
Running out of breath can be very dangerous at times. It makes you feel uncomfortable and anxious. But if you are going to be too worried, you are not going to find relief from your condition. When you feel like you are running short of breath, try to handle the fear by trying that activity that makes you feel good and relaxed. You could say a prayer, watch some funny television show, a good movie or simply imagine a nice vacation spot. That would surely help.

2. Focus On Breathing:
Another natural way to treat short breaths is to focus on your breathing. Fill your lungs with air and try to control the muscles that handle your diaphragm. You should also breathe through pursed lips and pace your breaths with the help of your techniques.

3. Save Some Energy:
When you feel like you can’t breathe anymore, it becomes very natural to feel tired. Treat this problem by simply getting rid of all those tasks that are not needed or make you feel very tired or exhausted. You should save your energy as much as possible.

4. Plenty Of Small Meals:
Unable to eat is one of the common symptoms that come with lung cancer, especially in the advanced stages. This is why you end up losing weight and sometimes it can make you look malnourished. However, you could control this symptom by simply eating plenty of small meals throughout the day. Try adding a few soft or bland meals to your diet if you find a few dishes difficult to consume.

5. Stop Smoking:
If you are someone who smokes, then it’s high time you stopped it right away. This will help your treatment become effective and let you live longer. When you smoke, the healing process can get delayed. So it is better to keep all your cigarettes away while you’re trying to recover. According to studies, people who smoke during radiation therapy during the first stage have fewer chances of recovering than those who don’t. Also, the nicotine found in tobacco leads to the multiplication of cancerous cells. This would ultimately lead to health destruction.

6. Meditation:
Meditation is one of the most effective natural remedies for lung cancer. Meditation is when you spend time in peace and quiet. Here, you should focus on something like an image, sound or idea. Meditation helps in the reduction of stress and improves the quality of life significantly.Meditation could be done alone. You can follow a few YouTube Videos of your choice to learn more about meditation or simply learn the techniques and practices when you are free. Just 10 minutes of meditation promises to be a life changing experience for all lung cancer patients.

7. Yoga:
Yoga consists of stretching, breathing and meditation. If you haven’t tried yoga before, it is advisable to go for the less complex poses. Yoga always helps people with cancer feel better. Try doing simple yoga asanas at home or join a health centre near your place. You could also ask your friends and family members about the benefits of Yoga and we guarantee you will be immensely benefitted.