What Caused My Lung Cancer?
I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014. I did not have a lot of experience with lung cancer or even cancer in general. I had always heard of the ways to prevent cancer such as eating a balanced diet or exercising regularly. Oh and also, I was under the impression that if I didn’t smoke I would be fine. So when I was diagnosed I was shook.
My mind automatically went to questions of “what caused this?” I also was asked a lot of interrogating questions by people who I know meant they well about what could have been the reason that me, a 30-year-old, could have been given such a crappy diagnosis. The question of “what caused this?” is so important for people researching cancer. We NEED to know why young people are getting lung cancer at an alarming rate but those of us not doing the research need to move our attention to the day at hand and moving forward.
There are many causes for a lung cancer diagnosis
There are many causes for a lung cancer diagnosis, but I honestly do not know why I was diagnosed. I have gone through the list of potential causes and none seemed to fit my individual circumstance. I do live in a rural community so there is a possibility of farming chemicals. When I had the discussion with my oncologist, in the beginning, she simply stated that I “had bad luck” and since then when someone asks that is exactly what I tell them. I have also learned that over the years the common thing for us in the community is to say that “all you need is lungs” to get this diagnosis. According to the CDC, “cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the lungs, it is called lung cancer.”
What has caused this diagnosis?
I have found that since I have started blogging and moderating the community for lungcancer.net many people focus on what has caused them to get this diagnosis and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I was there and in the same mindset but have since started focusing on the now and how it is going get me to accomplish these big goals of mine.
Studies have been done to gain further clarity on WHY
There is a study being done by the Go2 foundation to find out why those of us who are younger than the typical person diagnosed with lung cancer are getting diagnosed. This is important research because it will help someone later to get diagnosed earlier and may even prevent them from getting a diagnosis at all (one can hope!). When I was diagnosed it was already at a late-stage diagnosis.
If you are reading this...
If you are reading this and have just found out that a loved one, neighbor, co-worker, or even the mailman has been diagnosed with lung cancer, remember not to ask them what they think may have caused it. We also want to avoid asking about their smoking history because that simply does not matter, and the answer will only make you feel a false sense of security that you will not be diagnosed in your life.
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