Lung Cancer is Enough - But Do You Have COPD Too?

Monday February 9, 2009

It’s pretty clear by now that a history of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) raises the risk of lung cancer. Some physicians are even recommending screening for lung cancer for those with this diagnosis. But isn’t this link to be expected -- since smoking can cause both COPD and lung cancer? And, what does this mean for those of you who have already been diagnosed with lung cancer?

COPD affects between 40 and 70 percent of those living with lung cancer, and this risk is independent of smoking. Simply said, even if you have never touched a cigarette, but have lung cancer, there is a good chance you also have COPD.

And for smokers with lung cancer, the chance that you have COPD is 6 times higher than someone without lung cancer that smoked just as much.

What these studies bring to light for those with lung cancer, is that we should be on the lookout for COPD in non-smokers and smokers alike. Certainly, treating cancer should be on the front burner, but managing other diseases that exist along with lung cancer could make you more comfortable during treatment.

This information and more can be found at lungcancer.about.com.