The Marius Nasta Institute has reported almost 700 new cases of lung cancer in the first six months of 2023. Doctors say that 60% of patients come in the final stages of the disease.
Manager Beatrice Mahler says lung cancer is one of the most widespread and lethal forms of cancer worldwide. News.ro.
“Lung cancer …. Affects millions of lives of both patients and their families (worldwide). Today is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of awareness, prevention and support for those affected by lung cancer,” the manager of the pulmonary hospital said on Tuesday on World Lung Cancer Day.
She said the number of cases for the first six months of the years was unchanged since 2021.
“Otherwise, in the first 6 months of 2021, 702 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, in the first 6 months of 2022, 800 cases of cancer, and in the first 6 months of 2023, 694 cases of lung cancer. Perhaps more worrying is the fact that at the time of admission in 2023, the percentage of cases with metastasis was 61.39%, a stage where chances of benefiting from an innovative therapy decreases greatly. “
Mahler called on people to inform themselves about risk factors and drew attention to the need for check-ups for smokers to detect the disease at an early stage.
What are the main risk factors?
- Smoking, including passive smoking,
- Exposure to radiation therapy, radon gas, asbestos and other carcinogens
- Family history
- Elderly population
- Obesity
- Alcohol abuse
- Viral infections
Who has lung screening indication?
Asymptomatic smokers and former smokers who are between 50 and 80 years of age, have smoked for 20 years or more and either continue to smoke or have quit within the last 15 years, should benefit from a low-dose CT scan,
“In order to reduce the incidence of lung cancer, the essential condition is to stop smoking, whether we are talking about classic cigarettes or electronic devices. Beyond nicotine addiction, one of the biggest challenges for the smoker is to correct his behavioral addiction, and this can only be done through behavioral education,” Mahler said.
What are the mandatory steps for a smoker who wants to quit smoking?
Awareness: Understanding the negative health effects and risks of smoking.
Establishing motivation: Identifying personal reasons for quitting smoking and setting clear and realistic goals.
Identify challenges: Identify factors that drive the desire to smoke and develop strategies to manage them effectively.
Skills development: Learning techniques for managing stress, solving problems and avoiding situations that might trigger the desire to smoke.
Social support: Engaging in support or counseling groups to share experiences and receive support from other people who are going through or have gone through the same challenge.
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