More than 600 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every day. If you’re a smoker who’s worried about lung cancer, or you’ve inhaled cancer-causing substances at work, the team of pulmonary experts at Houston Pulmonary, Sleep & Allergy Associates provides effective diagnosis and high-quality care. Take a step for your lasting health today. Call the location closest to you in Cypress or Houston, Texas, Texas, or schedule your visit online today.
Smokers have the highest risk of lung cancer. The risk of getting lung cancer also rises the longer you smoke. Quitting smoking may help you avoid getting lung cancer.
People who don't smoke also get lung cancer, although in fewer numbers. Long-time exposure to secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer. Workplace exposure to asbestos and other cancer-causing substances, such as arsenic, nickel, and chromium, can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
If you smoke and breathe in cancer-causing substances, you have a much higher risk of getting lung cancer.
Lung cancer doesn't always cause symptoms in its earliest stages. As it advances, it produces more signs and symptoms, such as:
You also might start to lose weight with lung cancer. If you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms, contact the pulmonary specialists at Houston Pulmonary, Sleep & Allergy Associates for an evaluation of your condition.
The team at Houston Pulmonary, Sleep & Allergy Associates may recommend a lung biopsy, which is a highly effective means to diagnose lung cancer. A lung biopsy involves taking samples of your lung tissue for testing in a lab.
If you need a lung biopsy, your pulmonary specialist typically recommends a minimally invasive procedure called endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). EBUS doesn’t require incisions or a stay in the hospital.
You’re sedated or given general anesthesia before your EBUS procedure to maximize your comfort. Your pulmonary specialist then gently threads a lighted tube down your throat and into your lungs. The device provides real-time images of the surface of your lungs, airways, and lymph nodes. Your specialist examines your lungs and takes biopsies, as needed.
A careful analysis of the biopsies shows whether you have lung cancer and what type of lung cancer it is. This information is crucial to ensure you receive prompt, effective treatment to beat lung cancer.
Your pulmonary specialist works closely with you to determine the appropriate treatment for the stage of lung cancer. Together, you decide which treatment is most appropriate. Their goal is to address your lung cancer before it spreads and to set you on the path to lasting health.
For the high-caliber care you deserve, count on the expertise of Houston Pulmonary, Sleep & Allergy Associates. Call today or schedule your consultation online.
