The symptoms and signs of various cancers can be both difficult to remember and also tough to identify. This is even true of lung cancer.

If you’re looking for facts about lung cancer, keep reading for the answers to some frequently asked questions.

What are the two types of lung cancer?

Lung cancer is divided into two different types. These are non-small and small cell lung cancer. They are classified differently because the cells grow and spread differently with each type.

There are three types of non-small cell lung cancer (the most common form of lung cancer). They are adenocarcinoma, squamus cell carcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma. Though rarer, small cell lung cancer occurs in approximately a quarter of all people diagnosed with lung cancer.

Can I prevent lung cancer?

There are three ways to prevent lung cancer - quit smoking, avoid second-hand smoke and stay away from air-borne carcinogens at work. If you’re concerned about your risk of developing lung cancer, avoiding tobacco smoke is typically your best defense.

What causes lung cancer?

The short answer - smoking. Tobacco smoke is full of carcinogens, making it the major cause in almost all cases of lung cancer. While exposure to air-borne carcinogens like radon or asbestos can also lead to lung cancer, tobacco smoke is, by far, the primary cause.

How do doctors detect lung cancer?

The early stages of lung cancer typically don’t exhibit any symptoms. The only sure-fire way to detect the disease is with a chest X-ray.

Before a final diagnosis is made, most doctors must perform a biopsy. A biopsy is where a small tissue sample is taken from the lung and tested for the presence of cancer cells.

Does lung cancer have any symptoms?

Most lung cancer symptoms don’t appear until after the disease has reached the later stages. That said, the symptoms include constant coughing or wheezing, loss of appetite, chest pains, upper abdomen pains, bronchitis or pneumonia, blood being coughed up, general fatigue, a persistent hoarse voice and a dry, sore throat.

Can lung cancer be treated and how?

Lung cancer can be treated, but the treatments will depend on how far advanced the disease has progressed, the patient’s strength and the type of lung cancer. Lung cancer is typically treated with one of - or a combination of - chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that is typically caused by asbestos exposure. The disease attacks the delicate skin lining of the lungs, and tumors form.

Are men or women more at risk?

Women who smoke are twice as likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than men who are smokers.

I’ve smoked my entire life, so can quitting now really make a difference?

Yes, it can! Every year a person goes without smoking, their chances of contracting lung cancer are significantly reduced. Out of all the facts about lung cancer, this is the most critical. Remember, whether you’re 18 or 80, quitting can help you prevent lung cancer.