World Lung Cancer Day is commemorated every year on November 17, and in 2020, Chile registered 3,969 new cases of lung cancer and 3,550 deaths, a figure that puts it at the top of the list of cancer death rates and among the five countries with the highest incidence rates one. Its main risk factor is tobacco consumption, which is a global problem, with more than 1.1 billion people in the world being smokers and more than 8 million people dying every year as a direct result or exposure, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Although tobacco consumption rates have declined in the country over the past decade, Chile remains the most smoked country in Latin America. Additionally, different alternatives such as e-cigarettes are also gaining popularity following global trends. Research supported by the American Heart Association’s Center for Tobacco Regulatory Science found that among U.S. consumers, the proportion reporting daily tobacco use increased significantly, from 34.5% in 2017 to 44.4% in 2020.
In this regard, Dr. Mauricio Rivas, an oncologist at RedSalud Cancer Institute, expressed concern because “A new generation is now exposed to other forms of smoking, such as e-cigarettes, and unfortunately many mistakenly believe that these alternatives are harmless. However, they can also be harmful to your health.Some recent studies show “The chemicals heated by these devices may cause cell damage and are considered potentially carcinogenic.”he pointed out.
Additionally, these products are also used by other groups as an alternative method of kicking the habit. In this sense, he added “Although we have seen that e-cigarettes can be effective in smoking cessation, they should not be considered a first choice as they carry many risks. Furthermore, people began to integrate them into their daily lives, consuming them on the street, at work, at home, thus creating an addiction. “
Lung cancer warning signs
Lung cancer usually affects people over the age of 50 and 60, especially men, and is diagnosed at an average age of 70. The main risk factor is tobacco consumption. “Smoking can cause cancer in almost all parts of the body, but when it comes to the lungs, about nine out of 10 cancer cases are caused by smoking. The longer you smoke and the more packs of cigarettes you consume each day, the risk increases. The bigger. In addition, non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke may also be at increased risk.“, he insisted.
Other risk factors include a family history of lung cancer, previous radiation therapy for chest cancer, and exposure to environmental carcinogens. In Chile, exposure to chemical gases such as radon or arsenic is becoming increasingly important in the northern regions of our country. This is why regions such as Arica, Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta and Atacama have higher rates of this type of cancer.
In most cases, it does not cause symptoms in its early stages, making diagnosis difficult. The most common include a cough that lasts or gets worse over time; coughing up blood or phlegm with a rust-colored voice; chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing; hoarseness; unexplained loss of appetite, weight loss, breathing difficulties, and infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back.
“To stop its progression, we must focus on prevention, promote a healthy lifestyle, detect the disease early, and ensure timely treatment. People aged 40 to 80 who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day, ex-smokers who have quit smoking less than 15 years ago, and people with this type of cancer People with family history should consider screening. Therefore, patients should first quit smoking and secondly have a chest CT.” said experts from the RedSalud Cancer Institute.
Regarding treatment, oncologists note that it will depend on the type of cancer, its stage and whether the patient’s lung function allows it. “Surgery provides the best early survival rates for patients with non-small cell carcinoma. Additionally, there are alternatives to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. For small cell lung cancer, often because the disease is already in an advanced stage, You will receive radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of both.he concluded.