The lungs are two sponge-like organs in the chest.
The lining that surrounds the lungs is called
the pleura. The pleura helps to protect the lungs.
The windpipe (trachea) brings air down into the
lungs. It divides into tubes called bronchi,
which divide into smaller branches called bronchioles.
At the end of these small branches are tiny air
sacs known as alveoli.
Most lung cancers start in the lining of the bronchi.
But lung cancer can also begin in other areas like
the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli. It often takes
many years to develop.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death
for both men and women. Though fairly rare in people
under the age of 40, the number of cases goes up
after age 50 and even more so after age 65.
Smoking is by far the leading cause of lung cancer,
causing up to 90% of the cases. Cells in the lungs
of smokers go through changes that can lead to lung
cancer. The longer a person has been smoking and
the more packs per day smoked, the greater the risk.
And while every smoker will not get lung cancer,
quitting smoking at any age greatly lowers the risk
of getting
lung cancer.
Source: American Cancer Society
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