While considering whether stage 3 lung cancer is curable, it’s important to know that lung cancer that has reached stage 3 has spread to organs near the lungs as well as lymph nodes, located farther from the lungs. According to Healthline, Stage 3 lung cancer breaks down into three categories:
- Stage 3A, when cancer has remained on one side of the body.
- Stage 3B, when cancer has spread to both sides of the body.
- Stage 3C, when cancer has spread throughout the chest.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer for whether stage 3 lung cancer is curable. These three stages, as well as your treatment plan and health, will affect your survival rate. Whether you have small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) also plays a role in your life expectancy. The American Cancer Society estimates a 24% five-year relative survival rate for NSCLC and a 6% five-year survival rate for SCLC.
Recognizing the Signs of Lung Cancer Earlier
Smoking often causes lung cancer, but non-smokers can develop lung cancer as well.
There are several ways that non-smokers can develop lung cancer, and the primary symptoms of lung cancer, according to Mayo Clinic, include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Persistent headaches.
- Hoarseness.
- Bone pain.
- Coughing up blood.
- A persistent cough.
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor. Even non-smokers can develop lung cancer from breathing dangerous substances unknowingly, so it is important to take these symptoms seriously.
Two Frequent Causes of Lung Cancer Aside From Smoking
Two undetectable substances—asbestos and radon gas—can cause the development of lung cancer in non-smokers. The National Cancer Institute found that radon gas accounts for between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year while asbestos accounted for even more. However, many have no idea that they are living, working, or spending time amidst these dangerous substances.
Radon Gas Builds Up in Poorly Ventilated, Well-Sealed Spaces
Areas such as basements or other structures with few windows prevent ventilation and allow for dangerous levels of radon gas to accumulate. Because radon gas can build up to dangerous levels without detection, individuals who oversee a given structure, such as landlords or employers, have a responsibility to conduct regular radon testing.
If a landlord or employer neglects to conduct regular radon tests and take steps to remove any radon present, you may be able to hold them responsible for your lung cancer diagnosis.
Asbestos Rests in Many Areas of a Home
Despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) warnings of the dangerous carcinogenic effects of asbestos, many manufacturers still regularly use asbestos in home building and certain other processes because of its resistance to fire and corrosion. EPA studies found that breathing asbestos fibers can lead to scarring in the lungs, leading to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other forms of lung cancers.
These three conditions can be deadly since most patients do not detect lung cancer until it has reached advanced stages. Many people can find asbestos in their own homes, including:
- In heat-resistant fabrics.
- In certain roofing materials, including some shingles.
- Inside the insulation wrapped around pipes.
- Inside the insulation in walls and attics.
- In certain textured paints.
If you or a loved one sustained exposure to asbestos fibers, then you could have a case for compensation from the party that caused the exposure.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
A Lawyer May Help With Your Radon or Asbestos Exposure Case
If you receive a lung cancer diagnosis and believe your exposure to a dangerous substance led to your condition, you have the right to seek legal representation for your case. When fighting for the compensation that you deserve, a lawyer may be able to help you with your case by:
- Initiating your legal case within relevant statutes of limitation.
- Collecting all evidence pertaining to your case.
- Exploring any settlement options that are on the table.
You could receive awards covering medical costs, lost wages or diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Additional compensation may apply depending on the circumstances of your case.
Call Our Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
If you recently received a lung cancer diagnosis, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 217-6099 for a free consultation. You pay nothing upfront or out of pocket, and we only collect a fee if we secure awards in your favor.
Call or text (800) 217-6099 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
