After you're diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread (metastatic), you'll likely get treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. They may help you live longer and lessen symptoms so you feel better.
Tips for coping with pain
Take pain medicine regularly as prescribed, even when you are not in pain. It's better to stay on top of the pain. Use a laxative regularly to prevent or relieve constipation from pain medicines. Try learning relaxation or meditation techniques to help you cope with pain.
Make sure you have people you can talk to about what's on your mind, whether it's a loved one, a counselor, or people in a support group. Light exercises like walking can help with anxiety. Talk to your doctor about therapy and medications that can help. Try mindfulness activities like yoga and meditation.
Quit Smoking
For people with early-stage lung cancer, a more recent study showed an even more dramatic effect of quitting. In people with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and limited stage small cell lung cancer, five-year survival more than doubled in those who were able to kick the habit after their diagnosis.
People with lung cancer should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, Spees notes. Meanwhile, use only the nutritional supplements your oncologist recommends.
Something that makes patients feel comfortable and warm makes a great gift. Examples that our community provided are blankets, heating pads, pretty wraps, and sweaters.
So, get plenty of rest and avoid pushing yourself too hard, even if you feel good. Be patient with yourself and others since it may take some time to get back to your regular energy levels. And, remember that it's OK to ask for help so that you can take it easy.
Unlike some other cancers, lung cancer usually has no noticeable symptoms until it's in an advanced stage. When the tumor grows large enough to press against other organs it causes pain and discomfort.
General symptoms
a change in a cough you have had for a long time. breathlessness. unexplained weight loss. ongoing chest infections.
Approximately 20 percent of patients with lung cancer present with chest pain at diagnosis, and pain increases in severity as lung cancer advances, with patients at later stages of the disease experiencing more pain.
Targeted therapies (also known as biological therapies) are medicines designed to slow the spread of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Targeted therapies are only suitable for people who have certain proteins in their cancerous cells.
Survival for all stages of lung cancer
around 15 out of every 100 people (around 15%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more. 10 out of every 100 people (10%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more.
Researchers have known for some time that the immune system can recognize lung cancer cells as abnormal and mount a defense against them. There is evidence that: T cells, blood cells that are key components of the immune system, respond to lung cancer cells and attack them.
Talk to other people with cancer
They can tell you what to expect during treatment. Talk to a friend or family member who has had cancer. Or connect with other cancer survivors through support groups. Ask your health care provider about support groups in your area.
Locally advanced NSCLC patients have a median survival of 10-17 months, whereas patients with metastatic disease have a median survival of only 6-9 months (2). Patients with advanced disease often have significant symptoms and reduced quality of life (3,4).
Put together a pretty tote bag or gift basket of thoughtful items especially for cancer patients. Options may include ginger chews (to help with nausea), coloring books and colored pencils, handheld games or game books, lip balm, unscented hand lotion, magazines, healthy snacks (nuts, popcorn or granola).
Aloe vera juice is believed to help improve the immune system, and some people claim that it can treat lung cancer.
Rapid proliferation means that cancer cells have increased energetic needs. This need is met using glucose (sugar) as the main source of nutrition. When sugar is scarce, some lung cancer cells change their food preferences—switching from glucose to the amino acid glutamine.
People with non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. People with small cell lung cancer are usually treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgery.
Symptoms that are common towards the end of life in lung cancer include pain, dyspnoea, delirium and respiratory secretions. Such symptoms need to be anticipated and addressed promptly with appropriate medications and explanations to the patient and family.