Lung cancer cases among women on the rise

Lung cancer cases among women on the rise

• It is also the second most common type of tumor in men, says Horacio Tovalín Ahumada
• Today is the International Day to Combat this Disease.

It is the second most common type of cancer in adult men over the age of 40, and the increase in the disease in women is concerning because it is the fourth most common tumor type in women, the Lung Physiology Laboratory member added. Pulmonology.

The trend is that at some point the risks, likelihood and number of cases will be very similar between the sexes, as is the case with cardiovascular disease. “At a certain age, more women than men die from heart disease,” he explains.

On the occasion of International Lung Cancer Day today (17 November), the university expert noted that 85% of lung cancer cases are caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, which is avoidable.

Another member of the Professional Committee on Occupational Health added that the remaining 15% is related to exposure to radiation, asbestos, diesel, silica and uncontrolled atmospheric compounds during work activities.

He emphasized that quitting smoking is difficult, but since the 1940s, studies have shown that it is a potent carcinogen, the strongest carcinogen we humans are exposed to, and unfortunately we quit smoking voluntarily.

Experts pointed to the National Health Survey, which reported that in 2020, 19% of the adult population reported being smokers. Of these, nine percent smoked every day. Additionally, 17% claimed to have done so before. “We believe 36 percent of adults are at highest risk for this cancer.”

There is also a group that is less easy to quantify: so-called passive smokers, who are often the partners or children of smokers. Although it’s ideal not to expose them, those who engage in the habit believe it’s only natural for teenagers to try the substance.

Tovalín Ahumada said anti-smoking campaigns have reduced the number of smokers, especially among adults over 40 years old.

Consumption among young people has increased as e-cigarettes or e-cigarettes, while not containing as many harmful substances as cigarettes, facilitate the transition to them. The expert has spoken out in favor of banning the devices and calling for more monitoring of their sales.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have programs that encourage regular checking of blood sugar (the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood) or blood pressure like we do with other conditions like diabetes, hypertension, etc. There are no strategies to promote lung X-rays for smokers Light inspection,” he warned.

In this sense, he believes they should have regular X-rays and, if they have any symptoms, such as frequent coughing, spirometry – a study that assesses how much air is entering the bronchi and whether there are any restrictions.

“With lung X-rays and good treatment, 90 percent of cases of this cancer can be detected at a still survivable stage,” the university student said.

red light

Tovalín Ahumada believes that it is important to investigate the reasons for the increase in smoking among young women, that is, whether it is due to cultural and socialization issues, since the biological effects of tobacco are more severe for them.

“Today, most of these cancer cases are men because historically they were the ones who smoked the most. They are people in their 40s or 60s because in those generations there were very few women who smoked. It’s also a more urban The problem, although it affects rural areas, is not that important,” he elaborated.

He stressed that tobacco companies focus on young people as they try to create a market of chronically addicted customers.

For experts, it is necessary to maintain and strengthen various measures that help reduce product consumption. For example, research shows that increasing packaging taxes could reduce it by up to 15%, because by increasing its cost it becomes harder for high-risk groups to obtain it.

However, authorities need to crack down on abnormal markets such as personal sales, which are prohibited but have no oversight in this regard.

In addition to items in the health budget, pictograms illustrating the damage caused by tobacco should be maintained, as well as a permanent campaign in the media and billboards, as these images have been shown to help reduce consumption by up to 20%.

“Because we’re talking here about people who are getting sick and dying from cancer, but we have to add 50 people who have bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for whom addiction takes a toll on capacity, and the cost of their care is very high for individuals, social health systems and families,” the expert insists.

Tovalín Ahumada recommends funding more specialized institutions to care for them and restoring successful experiences, such as the anti-smoking clinic at the UNAM School of Medicine, which has efficient protocols.

Prevention must include everyone. For example, he concluded that in families, avoiding smoking in front of young people is an important lesson that can protect them from cancer.

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