Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are significant risk factors for lung cancer. Quitting smoking—or never taking it up in the first place—are great ways to lower your risk of developing lung cancer.

Lung cancer tends to be more commonly diagnosed in those who are over 65.

Noticing potential symptoms can help you and your healthcare provider take quick action to test for and treat lung cancer. Some common symptoms include:

Chest pain

It’s important to perform regular self-exams at home and to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms. A physician can then perform an in-person breast exam and look for any abnormalities that may warrant further testing, including a mammogram, MRI, or biopsy. Detecting breast cancer before it can spread to surrounding areas is key in successfully treating a patient, so make sure that you’re undergoing regular screening procedures and to talk with your physician if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Thanks to increased research and clinical trials, there are more options for lung cancer treatment than ever before. The best type of treatment for you will likely depend on the stage of cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Radiation treatment for lung cancer is quite common, and there are several varieties.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a powerful lung cancer radiation treatment that uses energy, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. The treatment is designed to minimize the amount of radiation sent anywhere other than at the targeted cancer cells.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a form of cancer radiation therapy that uses a machine that rotates around your body, sending out multiple levels of radiation at the cancer cells. This is one type of IMRT.

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) uses images to help with the radiation treatment process. Images taken before and after the treatment help guide the process and may make it possible to use higher doses of radiation, if necessary. This might mean a shorter course of radiation overall.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a type of lung cancer radiation treatment that uses many beams of energy to target cancerous tumors. It also uses 3D or 4D imaging to keep the radiation contained as much as possible to the affected area.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) isn’t surgery in the traditional sense because it doesn’t involve an incision. Instead, it uses multiple precisely focused radiation beams and 3D images to produce targeted, high doses of radiation.

Although lung cancer treatments including radiation do sometimes come with side effects, taking good care of yourself before and after treatments can help.

Side effect: Fatigue
What you can do: Get plenty of rest, and request help with your daily tasks if needed. When possible, eat well and do some light to moderate activity.

Side effect: Skin reactions
What you can do: Use gentle skin products with aloe or lanolin, and be in touch with your doctor if you notice a rash or anything else unusual.

Side effect: Throat or mouth soreness
What you can do: Eat soft foods and avoid anything greasy or spicy. You can also try sucking on hard candy or popsicles.

Side effect: Hair loss
What you can do: Use mild shampoos and soft hairbrushes. Wearing a hat or scarf may also help you stay comfortable.