Doctors calculate median life expectancy by the period in time when fifty percent of those diagnosed with a certain cancer are alive, and fifty percent have passed away. Based on this calculation, the median life expectancy for those diagnosed with stage four lung cancer is around eight months according to Verywell Health.
Stage four is the most serious, yet within this stage there are substages of seriousness that will go toward determining your specific life expectancy. If you have not yet received a diagnosis of lung cancer, it is important that you understand the symptoms of lung cancer so that you can seek treatment if they emerge.
Spotting the Signs of Lung Cancer
Unfortunately, a large percentage of lung cancer patients only discover that they have the disease once it has progressed to a serious stage, and the life expectancy of someone with stage four lung cancer can vary. In fact, 40 percent of lung cancer diagnoses occur after the lung cancer has metastasized into lymph nodes throughout the body, as well as other organs. Keep an eye out for the symptoms of lung cancer so that you can avoid this fate.
The symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- A persistent cough
- Persistent headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Bone pain
Seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one experiences one or more of these symptoms.
Lung Cancer Can Develop in Non-Smokers as Well as Smokers
Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, but non-smokers should also remain vigilant to signs that they have developed the illness. The two leading causes of lung cancer in non-smokers are asbestos and radon gas, two naturally occurring substances that can cause cancer if ingested.
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Radon Gas Is the Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
Radon gas is responsible for the death of somewhere around 20,000 lung cancer patients each year. The gas releases into the air when uranium degrades in soil, water, or rock, and it becomes extremely dangerous when trapped in poorly ventilated spaces.
Those in charge of building safety should regularly test for radon gas, and remove any dangerous amounts detected. If your lung cancer is the result of breathing radon gas, the person who failed to detect and remove the gas from where you spent substantial time could be responsible for your losses.
Asbestos Is Nearly as Lethal as Radon Gas
While radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, breathing asbestos fibers is nearly as lethal. Mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer caused by inhaling asbestos, claimed 45,221 lives between 1999-2015, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to mesothelioma, breathing asbestos fibers can also lead to asbestosis and other forms of lung cancer.
An estimated 30 million homes in America alone contain asbestos. Some places where you may find asbestos in a building of any kind include:
- In certain roofing materials, including shingles
- In insulation, which may be in walls, attics, around pipes, and around heat-emitting appliances such as furnaces and stoves
- In vinyl flooring
- In heat-resistant fabrics
- In certain textured paints
You may have been exposed to asbestos or radon gas if you have received a diagnosis of lung cancer, especially if you are a non-smoker. Consider pursuing compensation if you believe that exposure to either of these harmful substances led to your lung cancer.
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A Lawyer Can Help Oversee Your Case
A lawyer can help you handle your pursuit of compensation as you concentrate on fighting back against cancer. There are several ways that a lawyer can assist you, including:
- Filing the necessary paperwork to begin your legal case as soon as possible
- Speaking with your doctors to collect evidence and documentation of your illness
- Completing all legal requirements necessary to bring your case to a conclusion, whether it is a judgment or settlement
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process
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Possible Financial Awards in an Asbestos or Radon Exposure Case
Each case is different, but some possible awards in a successful exposure claim may cover:
- All medical expenses resulting from your lung cancer
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity caused by your lung cancer
- Pain and suffering imposed on you and your family by the lung cancer
- Punitive damages against the liable party in your case
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The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will take on your case, no matter how tough it may be. Call our team today at (800) 217-6099 for a free consultation. Clients pay nothing upfront, nothing out of pocket, and nothing unless we secure compensation.
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