Key risk factors for the disease across the lifespan
Discuss about the Lung Cancer: Lifespan Development 45- 64+ years (The state of Australian health over the life-span).
Lung cancer is a leading form of cancer and a notable cause of mortality across the globe. The economic burden of the disease due to high mortality rate is significantly high. Lung cancer, also termed a lung carcinoma is the condition of the lungs where there is formation of malignant tumor due to uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissues. The growth might spread beyond the lung through metastasis to nearby tissues. It has been noted that most cancer originating at the lungs are carcinomas. The two main types are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).
Research indicates that lung cancer was the 5th most commonly occurring form of cancer in Australia in the year 2013 after cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The same year saw 11,174 new cases of lung cancer diagnosis in the country (1). Epidemiological data highlights that lung cancer is the most common cause behind cancer related deaths among individuals aged between 45-64 years. As lung cancer leads to more deaths as compared to other forms of cancer, 3204 females and 5028 males died due to it in 2013. In 2017 the number of lung cancer cases was 124000 which were 9.3% of all cancer cases (2). Lung cancer is more diagnosed in individuals aged 60 years and above. Lung cancer was the second most common cause of premature deaths among individuals aged 45 years and above in the years 2011-13. Data also indicates that the rate of lung cancer increases with age. The median age of death for individuals suffering from lung cancer was 73.5 years in the year 2015. The last one decade witnessed a steady increase in the rate of lung cancer deaths among male patients. However, for female patients the rate of death has been stable (3). For men above the age of 45 years, the second cause of burden is lung cancer that follows coronary heart disease. Lung cancer was the second leading cause of death among females under the age of 75 years.
The present paper aims to analyze the state of Australian health in relation to lung cancer over the life span of 45-65+ years. The paper discusses the key risk factors for the disease across the selected lifespan. It further describes how the condition relates to varied physical, cognitive, psychosocial development stages and compare how this differs across genders. In addition, focus is given to the interventions across the lifespan that could reduce or prevent the burden of disease. A concluding summary is provided at the end of the report.
Relation of the condition to physical/cognitive/psychosocial development stages
Consistent attention has been given to understand the risk factors related to incidence of lung cancer among individuals of the age 45-65+ years. The need of controlling these risk factors has been acknowledged by healthcare organizations in the country. Based on extensive literature it has been concluded that lung cancer mostly affects those above the age of 40 years. The diagnosis is mostly done among patients above the age of 50 years. Further, most patients undergo diagnosis when they are suffering from stage III or stage IV of the disease. Evidence from world-wide research highlights the population shift of suffering different forms of cancer towards older age. The shift has favored a higher chance of developing lung cancer at an older age (4).
The physiologic changes related to aging have been linked with the increased risk of suffering lung cancer. The respiratory system of an individual at an old age is known to undergo numerous immunological, physical and structural changes due to age. From the functional point of view, there is a considerable declination in the capacity of the lungs to carry out its normal functioning. The reduced ventilator response is marked in age above 45 years. The dysfunction in beta adrenergic receptor compels older individuals to require lesser metacholine doses to cause significant bonchocostriction as compared to middle-aged individuals. In addition, elderly individuals are at high risk of suffering from infections of the respiratory tract due to any impairment in the immune response. Other concerns related to old age that have been linked to increased risk of lung cancer are decline decrease in capacity to combat side effects of drugs and some dietary supplements (5).
Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable risk factor for lung cancer among adults. People who smoke are at an increased risk of suffering from this condition, the chance being 30 times more as compared to non-smokers. People who have quitted smoking might be having a reduced risk of lung cancer than if they had been continuing smoking. However, the risk is greater than those who have never smoked. Pipe smoking and cigar smoking are also likely to cause cancer (6). Increased exposure to substances such as asbestos and other agents in workplace such as arsenic, silica and chromium also increases the chances of suffering cancer. People who have occupational exposure to such substances while working in mills, mines, textile plants and shipyards have more chances of suffering lung cancer at later stages of life. Individuals, who undergo occupational exposure to substances that pose a risk for lung cancer, are more likely to suffer from it. In addition, the risk is more among the exposed individuals who are also smokers. The years of smoking and the amount smoked also have a direct relation to the risk of lung cancer (7).
A history of chronic illness has been known to affect the functionality of lungs and increase the chance of lung cancer. Older individuals commonly suffer from diseases that lead to substantial scarring and inflammation in the lungs, the form the foundation for tumors. Some of the health conditions that are notable in this regard are chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8).
A review of existing literature would point out that the impact of lung cancer on the individuals is drastic. A comparison to other forms of cancer reveals that the distress and anguish that lung cancer patients suffer from are more intense. Though there are immense potential for addressing the concerns faced by lung cancer patients, the complexity of the symptoms associated with the disease contributes to increased burden on the patient as well as on the care giver. The quality of life of lung cancer patient is significantly deteriorated, as mentioned in a large pool of studies. Spouses of patients suffering from lung cancer also exhibit lower levels of quality of life as the distress suffered is significant. There is also an indication that patients and family members undergo a transition phase as a result of major changes suffered due to lung cancer diagnosis. The struggle that individuals have to undergo to endure and overcome the distress makes a deep impact on cognitive wellbeing, leading to altered social relationships (9).
People living lung cancer experiences a range of feelings during their journey such as fear, sadness, anger and hopelessness. There are certain factors that influence such feelings, such as gender, marital status, economic constraints and stressful life events in the past. Depression and anxiety are also related to quality of life of patients with lung cancer. Intensity of depression symptoms has a key relation with loss of possibility for proper functioning. Prediction of shorter survival in lung cancer patients with recent diagnosis can be done from the signs of depression as exhibited by the individual. Analysis of the demographical data would point out that women are more likely to suffer from such negative feelings across the continuum of cancer care. The underlying causes are linked with hormonal changes at the age of 50 years and above and menopausal symptoms (10). The functional status of patients suffering from lung cancer is to be highlighted in here. In cases where lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, a patient suffers from seizures, difficulties in vision and weakness. Chemotherapy and radiation leads to side effects such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
A diagnosis of lung cancer is commonly associated with decline in functional status. Individuals face challenges in carrying out activities of daily living and some key instructional activities. These activities include basic self-care skills and dependence on others are a prediction of increased care service access (11). People living with lung cancer are in the need of an advocate who provides guidance in their journey of addressing effects of cancer. Since recovery at home is necessary following hospital care, professional advocacy is required.
Lung cancer has emerged to be a key public health concern in a number of countries including Australia. The primary interventions that promise to reduce the burden of the disease or prevent the rising prevalence include smoking control and early screening for lung cancer. Further, engagement of skilled professionals to disseminate health education on lung cancer and reformed policies for reducing exposure of individuals to environmental pollutants can act as the other suitable strategies (12).
Smoking control strategies have been repeatedly pointed out to be effective in controlling lung cancer prevalence. Supporting tobacco prevention and control strategies are to be multifaceted in this regard. Firstly, the minimal age of sale of tobacco products is to be raised. Use of tobacco at a younger age increases the chances of lung cancer at a later stage in life. Restricting young adult to access products would be a critical component of a comprehensive strategy for reducing initiation. Secondly, mass campaigns are to be carried out for spreading the awareness regarding the adverse effects of smoking on health. Since Australia is a diverse country with people with different ethnic and social backgrounds, the campaigns are to be organized keeping in mind the target audience and their level of literacy. This is crucial for reaching out to the larger population.
It has been noted that most of the patients suffering from cancer are diagnosed at a later stage into the disease. At such an advanced stage there are minimal options for curative treatment. The government must have a proactive approach in arranging for early screening of lung cancer. Increased funding is entailed in this regard and the need of collaboration among organizations comes into limelight in this regard. Innovative health communication strategies are needed in this respect to increase the level of awareness among the masses to undergo screening at an early stage. This would have the prime focus on the population who are regular smokers as they are at increased risk of developing cancer (13).
Health awareness can only be spread through experts in the respective field, and an acknowledgement of this notion is needed across communities. There is a need to recruitment healthcare workers who are experts in the field of cancer care and can demonstrate professionalism through their work. The government must come forward to provide adequate training to these professionals so that they can address the evolving needs of the population. Increased research aligned with changing population data would be warranted. Translation of research into practice would ensure that professionals can refer to evidence based guidelines for their agendas (14).
Conclusion
Lung cancer is a commonly occurring malignancy suffered by individuals in Australia, particularly those aged 45 years and above. The temporal and geographical pattern of incidence of lung cancer and mortality is mainly determined by a number of key factors. This is understood from the population level data. The primary risk factors for lung cancer include smoking, occupational exposure and environmental exposure. The health and economic burden of lung cancer is noteworthy at the contemporary era. Individuals diagnosed with lung cancer suffer physical changes and psychological distress whose multitude is high. Psychosocial support is needed for enabling a better quality of life in patients. The government must focus on a number of key strategies such as smoking cessation and early screening of cancer so that the burden of lung cancer is reduced or prevented considerably. Collaboration among agencies and increased funding would be pivotal in this respect.
References
- Li M, Sundararajan R. Gender and Age Analysis of Lung Cancer in Australia. General Medicine: Open Access. 2017;5(5).
- Lung cancer statistics | Lung cancer [Internet]. Lung-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au. 2018 [cited 3 May 2018]. Available from: https://lung-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/statistics
- Australia’s Health [Internet]. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2016 [cited 3 May 2018]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/9844cefb-7745-4dd8-9ee2-f4d1c3d6a727/19787-AH16.pdf.aspx?inline=true
- Morampudi S, Das N, Gowda A, Patil A. Estimation of lung cancer burden in Australia, the Philippines, and Singapore: an evaluation of disability adjusted life years. Cancer biology & medicine. 2017 Feb;14(1):74.
- Causes of Death, Australia, 2015 [Internet]. Abs.gov.au. 2018 [cited 3 May 2018]. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/3303.0~2015~Main%20Features~Lung%20cancer~10004
- Venuta F, Diso D, Onorati I, Mantovani S, Rendina E. Lung cancer in elderly patients. J Thorac Dis. 2016;8(11) S908–S914.
- Ouchi T, Hattori A, Matsunaga TT, Takamochi K, Oh S, Suzuki K. P1. 08-011 Feasibility of Surgical Resection for Lung Cancer Patients Aged over 85 Years: Topic: Risk Assessment and Prognostic Factors. Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2017 Jan 1;12(1):S736-7.
- Takiguchi Y, Sekine I, Iwasawa S, Kurimoto R, Tatsumi K. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a risk factor for lung cancer. World journal of clinical oncology. 2014 Oct 10;5(4):660.
- Ellis J. The impact of lung cancer on patients and carers. Chronic respiratory disease. 2012 Feb;9(1):39-47.
- Polanski J, Jankowska-Polanska B, Rosinczuk J, Chabowski M, Szymanska-Chabowska A. Quality of life of patients with lung cancer. OncoTargets and therapy. 2016;9:1023.
- Morrison EJ, Novotny PJ, Sloan JA, Yang P, Patten CA, Ruddy KJ, Clark MM. Emotional Problems, Quality of Life, and Symptom Burden in Patients With Lung Cancer. Clinical lung cancer. 2017 Sep 1;18(5):497-503.
- Vogelmeier CF, Criner GJ, Martinez FJ, Anzueto A, Barnes PJ, Bourbeau J, Celli BR, Chen R, Decramer M, Fabbri LM, Frith P. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic obstructive lung disease 2017 report. Respirology. 2017 Apr 1;22(3):575-601.
- Moyer VA. Screening for lung cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Annals of internal medicine. 2014 Mar 4;160(5):330-8.
- Vineis P, Wild CP. Global cancer patterns: causes and prevention. The Lancet. 2014 Feb 8;383(9916):549-57.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
