Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) occurs when uncontrolled growth occurs in the small cells of the lung leading to the development of malignant (cancerous) tumours.  It is also known as small cell lung carcinoma and oat cell carcinoma (due to the appearance of the cells).  According to Cancer Research UK it accounts for approximately 20% of all lung cancers.  In this article I will be discussing this condition in greater detail.

There are three types of SCLC:

1) SMALL CELL CARCINOMA:- This is the main type of SCLC accounting for approximately 95% of all SCLC cases.

2) MIXED SMALL CELL/LARGE CELL CARCINOMA:- This is a sub-type of SCLC that is resistant to chemotherapy and radiation.  It is believed to account for 4-6% of SCLC cases.

3) COMBINED SMALL CELL CARCINOMA:- This is a sub-type of SCLC which combines with squamous cell carcinoma (a type of lung cancer that develops in the bronchi) and/or adenocarcinoma (a type of lung cancer that develops in the cells that produce phlegm).  It is believed to account for 1% of SCLC cases.

There are multiple risk factors associated with SCLC and these are very similar to the risk factors associated with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):

1) SMOKING:- Smoking is the leading risk factor associated with SCLC and is believed to account for around 90% of cases.  It is more strongly linked with SCLC than NSCLC.  Even if you are not a smoker, passive tobacco smoke can increase your risk of contracting SCLC.  Quitting smoking gradually decreases your risk of developing SCLC with your risk returning to that of a non-smoker 15 years after quitting.

2) URANIUM:- Exposure to uranium is believed to increase your risk of contracting SCLC with people who mine uranium believed to be 28 times more likely to develop the condition.  Combining exposure to uranium with smoking increases your risk even further.

3) RADON:- Radon is created from the breakdown of uranium and is another factor which increases your risk of developing SCLC.

4) ASBESTOS:- Asbestos is believed to cause mesothelioma but it is also believed to increase your risk of contracting SCLC.  Combining cigarette smoking with asbestos exposure further increases your risk.

5) DIET:- According to this research a diet that is low in fruit and vegetables can increase your risk of contracting lung cancer.

The most common symptoms of SCLC are symptoms you would expect to occur with damage to the lungs.  They include:

- A regular cough.
- A change in the cough (if you have had the cough for a long time).
- Breathlessness.
- Chest pain.
- Coughing up phlegm with signs of blood.
- Hoarse voice.
- Pain when coughing.

If you notice any of the above symptoms then you should see your doctor immediately.  They will then be able to investigate further and perform a number of tests to determine whether or not you have developed SCLC:

1) PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:- Your doctor will usually begin the testing process with a physical exam.  This will allow them to assess your general health and to experience your symptoms first hand.  They will ask a number of questions related to your general health and your smoking habits.  If after the physical exam your doctor feels you may be at risk of SCLC they will schedule further testing.

2) CHEST X-RAY:- A chest x-ray will reveal any abnormalities in your lungs which could turn out to be lung cancer.

3) COMPUTERISED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN:- A CT scan takes multiple x-rays to build a 3D picture of the inside of your body and get a more detailed look at any abnormalities.

4) BRONCHOSCOPY:- This test involves a narrow, flexible tube called a bronchoscope into your throat.  The doctor can then use this bronchoscope to look at the inside of your airways for any possible tumours.

5) LUNG BIOPSY:- A bronchoscope can also be used to take samples of tissue from the lungs which can then be examined under the microscope.  This procedure is referred to as a biopsy.

If any of the above tests reveal that you have SCLC then your doctor will recommend that you start treatment immediately.  The treatment options for SCLC are discussed below:

1) CHEMOTHERAPY:- This involves using anti-cancer medications to kill the cancer cells.

2) RADIOTHERAPHY:- This involves using high levels of energy radiation to kill the cancer cells.

Unfortunately, even with treatment the outlook for people who contract SCLC is not good.  According to eMedicineHealth the overall 5 year survival rate for people with SCLC is less than 20%.  Therefore, the best option is to stop yourself from developing SCLC by taking the following preventative steps:

1) QUIT SMOKING:- The number one way to reduce your risk of developing SCLC is to stop smoking or if you don’t smoke to carry on down this path and never start.

2) AVOID ASSOCIATED RISKS:- As discussed in the risk factors section of this article, uranium, radon and asbestos all increase your risk for developing SCLC.  Therefore, by avoiding these substances you can lower your risk of SCLC.

3) EAT MORE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES:- As identified in the risk factors section, fruit and vegetables contain a number of chemicals which can help prevent cell damage.  Therefore, increasing your intake can potentially reduce your risk.

SCLC is a condition which causes huge damage to your lungs and can rapidly spread to other areas of your body.  Survival rates for this disease are low.  However, unlike other forms of cancer were the exact causes are unknown, there are a number of specific risks associated with SCLC which means you have the opportunity to take preventative action.  I hope this article helps you identify the potential symptoms and most importantly reduce your risk.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. SCLC is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Sources:
Combined Small Cell Carcinoma Information
Lung Cancer and Diet (Cancer Research UK)
Lung Cancer Information (BUPA)
Lung Cancer Information (Cancer Research UK)
Lung Cancer Information (Wikipedia)
Mixed Small Cell/Large Cell Carcinoma Information
Small Cell Lung Cancer Information (eMedicineHealth)
Small Cell Lung Cancer Information (Hycamtin)

It is important that you and your partner support each other when making difficult decisions or going through difficult periods during your life. One such time is when your partner makes the decision to stop smoking cigarettes. It will be a difficult time for them and they will need your help and support to ensure that they succeed. In this article I discuss four ways that you can assist your partner on their quest to quit smoking.

1) JOIN HIM OR HER:- Obviously, this only applies if you are a smoker also but if you do smoke this is a tremendous way to support your partner. By making up the decision to give up with them you will be going through the same things that they go through (withdrawal symptoms, cravings etc) and therefore truly understand. You will also be able to support each other when times get tough and hopefully improve both of your chances of succeeding.

If you are not a smoker you could maybe try making another sacrifice to support your partner. Maybe you could lose some weight? Perhaps you could give up coffee? Even better, why not ask your partner what they would like you to do for them whilst they are giving up smoking. This shows that you fully support them in their decision and are prepared to make a sacrifice of your own to help them succeed.

2) BE AWARE OF THE TRIGGERS WHICH MAY ENCOURAGE SMOKING:- Most people who smoke encounter scenarios which subconsciously lead to them craving a cigarette. If you and your partner can determine what these triggers are you can then both try and avoid them. There are a number of triggers that are very common to most smokers.

One such trigger is social settings. Many smokers are more inclined to light up in social settings, particularly where there are other smokers around. If this is the case then you could both try going to places that are smoke free.

Another common trigger is smoking paraphernalia. To avoid this being an issue do a clean sweep of your house and make sure that all paraphernalia associated with smoking is removed including; cigarettes, lighters, matches, pipes, tobacco, filters, papers and ashtrays. By removing objects associated with smoking you are not just removing a potential trigger. You are also making it more difficult for your partner to actually smoke should they get the urge.

3) TAKE UP A NEW ACTIVITY TOGETHER:- One of the best ways to take a smoker’s mind of smoking is to do something new. This will take their mind of cigarettes and focus it on this new and exciting activity. If you start the activity with your partner it will make them much more likely to stick at it and also give you an opportunity to spend some quality time together.

4) STAY POSITIVE:- If you are positive about your partner’s decision to quit smoking it will make them positive too and seriously improve their chances of success. You may find it difficult to stay positive at times because they are likely to be grumpy or miserable whilst craving a cigarette. However, if you give in and be grumpy and miserable back to them you will just make them want a cigarette that little bit more. If you stay bright and positive, even when you don’t feel like it, you will be a great help to your partner.

Remember that quitting smoking is very difficult, especially when doing it alone. By providing support to your partner you are making it much more pleasant. I am not saying it will be easy but your support may be just what your partner needs to finally overcome their addiction.

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Weight gain is a very common side effect of quitting smoking. Most people do gain a few pounds after giving up. However, just because you stop smoking does not mean that you will gain weight. If you understand why this weight gain occurs then you can reduce the chances of it happening. In this article I outline the reasons behind why people gain weight after giving up smoking and what can be done to avoid this.

1) REPAIRED TASTE BUDS:- By smoking you dull and damage your taste buds. This damage is generally not permanent and the taste buds usually heal when you stop smoking. However, when your taste buds heal the food you eat starts to taste a lot better than it did when you smoked. Since it tastes better you are a lot more tempted to eat food than you were before.

2) INCREASED APPETITE:- Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. It is thought that nicotine stops your body releasing insulin. Insulin controls the amount of glucose in your blood stream. If adequate amounts of insulin are not released then your body does not trigger the hunger signals. This explains why a lot of the time you can often go without food and smoke a cigarette instead. However, this is not healthy as by blocking insulin your body is being prevented from operating normally. When you stop smoking you will feel hungry more often because your body is now functioning correctly.

3) REDUCED METABOLIC RATE:- Smoking increases your metabolic rate marginally. According to this article people who smoke heavily can burn an additional 200 calories per day. Therefore, when you stop smoking these additional calories often lead to weight gain.

4) INCREASED TEMPTATION TO SNACK:- After you quit smoking you often experience a “lacking” feeling. For example, when you go on your morning break and you do not have a cigarette it feels like something is missing. Many people turn to snacking to fill this void meaning that they eat more and gain weight.

So to summarise when you stop smoking:
- Your food will taste better.
- Your appetite will no longer be suppressed.
- Your metabolic rate will decline marginally.
- You will experience a “void” which you want to fill with food.

After reading the above information it is understandable why stopping smoking can lead to you gaining weight BUT you can now take action to prevent this weight gain. This will take a little planning and preparation and you will have to slightly modify your diet or do a little additional exercise.

For the exercise you could try taking a 30 minute walk each day, start swimming a few times a week or take up a team sport. You will not need to lots and lots of additional exercise. At most you need to be burning an additional 200 calories per day or 1400 calories per week.

For the food you will want to eat more so you need to control this. One way to make yourself feel fuller and avoid giving in to this temptation is to drink more water e.g. every time you crave a cigarette instead try drinking a large glass of water. This will make you feel fuller quicker. Another solution is to eat foods that are low in calories but rich in fiber e.g. whole grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables. These will make you feel full whilst keeping the level of calories you consume to a minimum. A third solution is to chew gum. The chewing motion will take your mind off food and send triggers from your mouth to your stomach, making your body think it is full.

Giving up smoking is on its own a difficult task and thinking about diet and exercise as well does not make it any easier. However, if you have made the decision to quit smoking then the possibility that you will gain weight is a factor that you will have to deal with. I hope reading this article makes it easier for you to keep off the weight if you make the decision to quit smoking. With a little planning and preparation you should be able to keep off the weight, keep off the cigarettes and if you’re lucky improve your overall health and appearance too.

Hi everyone. Welcome to the final article in this extended series on quitting smoking. If you want to access all the articles in this series then you can do so using the links at the bottom of this post. Anyway, here are your final tips to help you quit smoking.

10) TRY A HOLISTIC APPROACH:- A holistic approach requires you to not just focus on quitting smoking but to also try and be a healthier person overall. As well as trying to give up smoking you would try to exercise more and eat a healthier diet. Plus, you would focus on improving your mental and emotional well being using meditation and stress control techniques.

Using a holistic approach to quit smoking can be a very effective method because your new lifestyle will often help take your mind off cigarettes and reduce your cravings. Plus, you will feel a lot better both physically and mentally increasing your desire to stay away from the cigarettes.

11) TRY HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS:- Herbal supplements are a very useful product to help you quit smoking and can be used in conjunction with the holistic approach discussed above. Herbal supplements help remove the toxins from your body that are created by cigarette smoke. They also help you deal with many of the symptoms associated with giving up smoking including; weight gain, restlessness and most significantly the cravings. Herbal supplements can be obtained from many health food shops, pharmacy chains and the Internet.

12) DON’T BECOME DISCOURAGED:- It is believed that the average smoker fails 3 or 4 times before finally overcoming their addiction. Therefore, do not be discouraged if you fail in your first attempt. Instead look at the reasons why you failed, try to address them and most importantly TRY AGAIN. If you have the mental strength and tell yourself that you can succeed then you will.

There you have it - 12 top tips for quitting smoking. Now it’s over to you to let me know what you think. Do you think I have missed any tips out? If so leave a comment on this post with your very own stop smoking tips. The more people that contribute the bigger the list will get and the more people it will help. It’s now your list so lets see how big you can make it.

Other Articles in this Series:

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12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 1

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 2

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 3

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 4

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If you enjoyed this article series and are looking for an excellent quit smoking product try the Quit Smoking CareKit by Boiron which can be purchased from Vitabase:

Hey everyone and welcome to part 3 of this extended article series on quitting smoking.

7) THINK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS:- The price of cigarettes is increasing constantly. If you add up the total amount you spend on cigarettes each week, each month or each year, you may be surprised. Surely you could be investing this money more wisely. Maybe you could take your partner out for a restaurant meal each week? Perhaps you could go on an additional night out with your friends? If you are disciplined enough you could even use this money to save for a holiday, a car or a deposit on a house. By smoking cigarettes you are exchanging your money for a product which has the potential to make you ill or even kill you. Think about how much you could improve your financial situation just by stopping smoking.

8) THINK ABOUT THE EFFECT SMOKING HAS ON OTHER PEOPLE:- Apart from having a negative impact on you personally, smoking also affects the environment and those around you. You may not have a problem with putting your own health at risk but what about the health of your friends, family or loved ones? Passive smoking impacts upon those around you and you need to consider whether you want to be responsible for this.

In particular, your smoking can affect your children. Children very often emulate the actions of adults and may want to try it simply because they see you having a cigarette. This study shows that children who have one or more parents that smoke are twice as likely to develop a habit compared with those who have non-smoking parents.

9) TRY A QUIT SMOKING PROGRAM:- A good quit smoking program will help you deal with the many difficulties you are likely to encounter whilst trying to give up. To find the best quit smoking program for you personally a little research is required. Try asking other people who have quit smoking what worked for them and which programs they would recommend, doing some research online or even asking your doctor. A good program should help you deal with the cravings, ease the withdrawal symptoms and address the weight gain that is often associated with quitting smoking. Most importantly it should contain steps that work for you as an individual. Everyone is different so keep this in mind.

I hope you’re enjoying the tips so far. As I keep emphasising remember that you are the most important factor when quitting smoking. If you don’t want to quit you won’t. If you really want to give up cigarettes you will be able to do it. I’ll be back tomorrow with the final installment of quit smoking tips.

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Other Articles in this Series:

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 1

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 2

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 3

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 4

Hey everyone. Hope you enjoyed the last selection of quit smoking tips. Here’s three more for you.

4) RECOGNISE THE POWER CIGARETTES HAVE OVER YOU:- As already mentioned, lighting up a cigarette can become an integral part of your day to day life. The longer you smoke the more likely it is that smoking has become part of your daily routine. You may not even realise how dependent you actually are on cigarettes. However, next time you run out of cigarettes stop and think how much you are feeling the cravings. Remember, if you smoke a pack of 20 cigarettes every day that means you are having to give up something that you have been doing 20 times each day, 140 times each week and 7,300 times each year. It’s probably something you do more often than almost anything in your life and it’s more than likely that you have a serious mental addiction to smoking.

By identifying a mental addiction you are taking a very important step towards quitting smoking. Whereas previously you may have smoked 20 cigarettes a day without thinking about it you can now have a certain degree of control. Think about how many cigarettes you are actually smoking each day and then try to reduce this figure.

5) TRY QUIT SMOKING PRODUCTS:- There are a number of products out there which can assist you in your quest to quit smoking. These include; pills, patches and gum. Now whilst these products can be useful you have to remember; “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” There is no magic solution that can instantly eliminate your cravings and stop you smoking for good. The number one requirement is that you have the desire and willpower to quit smoking. You cannot rely solely on these products. However, if you really want to give up smoking then there is no reason that you cannot benefit from these types of product.

6) GO COLD TURKEY:- Cold turkey is not for everyone so before you even consider this option you have to ask yourself “Do you have the willpower to go cold turkey and give up cigarettes instantly?” You may require the help of some quit smoking aids but if you can do it successfully this is an excellent way to stop smoking. By going cold turkey you will immediately remove the financial burden and the danger to your health associated with smoking. Cold turkey is also one of the most likely methods to create permanent results if you stick it out.

I hope these tips prove useful to you. Quitting smoking is down to you so don’t just read this article. Take it in, take action and then take positive steps towards stopping smoking. I’ll be back in the next few days with three more top tips.

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Other Articles in this Series:

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 1

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 2

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 3

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 4

Giving up smoking is difficult. It is an act that people can easily become addicted to both chemically and mentally. As you smoke your body begins to depend on the nicotine and other chemicals contained within a cigarette, creating a chemical addiction. You also become mentally dependent on cigarettes because your brain starts to associate smoking with parts of your daily routine e.g. if you have a cigarette before bed your brain soon starts to make a mental connection and you may find it difficult to sleep without having a cigarette first. Although quitting is difficult it is not impossible. In this article series I will be discussing 12 top tips which should help you in your quest to give up smoking. Today’s article contains the first three.

1) THINK ABOUT YOUR HEALTH:- One of the main reasons for quitting smoking is the effect that it will have on your health. Cigarettes contain a number of harmful toxins and chemicals which are introduced to your body every time you smoke including; Hydrogen Cyanide, Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Arsenic and DDT. In total cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, 43 of which are scientifically proven to be cancer causing agents. Smoking does not just damage your lungs. It also has a negative impact on all your major organs and can lead to the development of multiple types of cancer including:

- Lip Cancer.
- Mouth Cancer.
- Throat Cancer.
- Bladder Cancer.
- Stomach Cancer.
- Kidney Cancer.
- Colon Cancer.
- Skin Cancer.

Apart from the above, smoking can have a negative impact on the appearance of your teeth and skin. It can cause your teeth to become yellow and discoloured or even to fall out completely. Smoking also causes makes your skin develop wrinkles and gives it a yellowish tint. Surely, the significant risk to your personal health is a good reason to consider quitting smoking.

2) THINK ABOUT WHY YOU SMOKE:- Very often there is a trigger for your smoking. Perhaps you are stressed out and smoking temporarily relieves this stress? Maybe everyone at your workplace smokes and it is a form of social interaction for you? Once you understand why you are lighting up that cigarette you are in a much better position to quit. You can identify which scenarios make you more likely to smoke and then take steps to avoid them. For example, if you smoke with your colleagues on your work breaks perhaps you could use this time to go for a walk instead or do some other activity which does not involve being around smokers. If you smoke to relieve stress perhaps you could learn some natural stress control techniques.

3) DON’T FOCUS ON GIVING UP SMOKING:- This tip may sound rather silly but let me explain further. If you are thinking every day about how bad smoking is for you and how much you want to give up, you are actually making yourself think about cigarettes more. Whilst it is important that you realise the need to quit smoking, constantly thinking about it is not helpful and will make you want to smoke even more. Therefore, make the commitment to quit but do not dwell on it.

Ultimately, giving up smoking is down to you. You are the only one who can determine whether you succeed or fail. However, I hope the tips in this article help you on your quest. I’ll be back soon with three more top tips.

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Other Articles in this Series:

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 1

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 2

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 3

12 Top Tips to Help you Quit Smoking - Part 4