Stage 3b Lung Cancer Requires Serious TreatmentLung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It is the number one cancer killer of men and is the number two killer of women, second only to breast cancer. Over one million people die from lung cancer every year, and once diagnosed, the prognosis is rarely good for those with the diagnosis. There are many different stages of lung cancer, but the second to worst stage called Stage 3b lung cancer is kind of the last chance for treatment stage. At this point the cancer has become what is known as non-small lung cancer. The five year survival rate for non-small lung cancer is less than five percent. This does not mean that if you are diagnosed with Stage 3b lung cancer that you should give up hope, it just means that you are going to have to fight much harder than you would have if you had been diagnosed at a much earlier stage. With non-small lung cancer, especially at this stage, surgery is rarely an option, instead an intense regimen of chemotherapy is recommended and this should start as quickly as possible after the diagnosis. The human body is resilient, however, either because of what we have been exposed to or because of the things that we do to ourselves, our natural defences break down and we are no longer resistant to the diseases that can kill us. Stage 3b lung cancer is a perfect example of this breakdown. Whether you have this diagnosis because of years of smoking or you were exposed to one of the many chemicals that causes this cancer, lung cancer does not appear for no reason. Something interferes with the way that your body works and creates this major problem. Unfortunately, this is a serious problem that requires serious treatment. The symptoms of Stage 3b lung cancer typically include coughing up blood, recurrence of pneumonia or bronchitis, persistent cough, hoarseness, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, bone pain, headaches, swelling of the upper body and more. These symptoms should not be taken lightly and if you are experiencing any of these then you should seek medical care immediately. Lung cancer is a terrible disease but steps are being take daily to find the cure. With the hard work of doctors and scientists you may even see a cure in your lifetime. |