What Is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD represents a group of diseases portrayed by obstruction of the airways in the lungs. The term COPD usually describes a mix of the conditions emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that manifests damage to the alveoli, which then causes loss of their elasticity. This leads to air becoming trapped in the alveoli and they expand and rupture, causing more damage.

Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation that causes mucus accumulation in the airways and leads to blockage of the airways. It frequently causes recurrent infections.

Bronchiectasis means having widening and scarring of the airways. These are caused by repeated lung infections in childhood.

COPD: An Independent Risk Factor for Lung Cancer

Studies have found that COPD can be an independent risk factor for lung cancer. This means that COPD increases the risk of lung cancer all by itself, without any other factors involved. In fact, COPD is the greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer. However, the degree of risk does vary, depending on whether the person is a non-smoker or a smoker. And it varies furthermore, depending on whether the person is a light or a heavy smoker.

Statistics and Frequency

Cancer is the second biggest cause of death in the US. The first one being heart disease, and the third or fourth biggest cause for deaths is believed to be COPD.

8 to 10% of the population overall have some degree of COPD. When it comes to smokers, 10% to 20% of them suffer from COPD.  The most important information that answers the question of whether COPD is a risk factor for lung cancer, is that it is considered that 40% to 70% of people with lung cancer have some form of COPD.

Symptoms

Finding lung cancer in the early stages promises better results in treatments and survival. The trouble is, that for people with COPD is not unusual to experience constant cough, shortness of breath, repeated lung infections, and even weight loss. All of which are symptoms of lung cancer as well. It really is difficult to diagnose lung cancer in these conditions.

Treatment

Treatment and even surgery are possible for people with mild or moderate COPD.

The situation is more complicated for more serious cases of COPD. These patients might not be able to tolerate cancer surgery or radiation therapy. That is the biggest issue with the link between COPD and lung cancer.

What to Do If You Have COPD

If you have COPD, always be alert that there is a risk for you to develop lung cancer. In that matter, talk to your doctor about how serious your condition is, and if and when you should be screened. Become informed about these diseases and try your best to stay as healthy as you can. 

Also, there is a study that suggests that high-dose inhaled corticosteroids could protect you from developing lung cancer. Explore this option with your doctor as well.

Lung Cancer Screening

The most important thing is to know if you are one of the people that should consider lung cancer screening.

It’s advised for people between the ages of 55 and 80, people who have a 30-year history of smoking and people who continue to smoke or quit in the past 15 years.

The bottom line is that yes, there is an increased risk of lung cancer when you have COPD. The best thing you can do is to stay informed and aware of the possibility of developing lung cancer and have a screening if your doctor advises you to do so.