Maintaining medical examinations can help in the early diagnosis of diseases, which can help save the lives of thousands of people. It is essential to raise awareness of lung cancer, for example, among smokers and non-smokers alike, in order to improve the chances of recovery.
Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the world, with more than 2.5 million new cases diagnosed each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Although strongly linked to smoking – responsible for around 90% of cases – the number of non-smokers affected by this type of cancer has increased alarmingly in the last 20 years went away
Related content:
According to the oncologist Marcelo Cruz, in an interview with UOL websitethe increase in diagnoses in people who have never smoked may be linked to a combination of environmental and genetic factors, as well as passive smoking. He points out that radioactive gases, air pollution from factories and cars, fires and genetic predisposition are some of the agents that contribute to the development of the disease in non-smokers.
“There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of lung cancer. And it is important to emphasize that the disease does not affect only the elderly or smokers,” says the expert.
Want more health news? Visit our channel on WhatsApp
Signs to watch out for
Symptoms of lung cancer are often mixed with symptoms of other respiratory diseases, which makes early diagnosis difficult. Key signs include:
- Chronic cough;
- Fatigue;
- shortness of breath;
- chest pain;
- Lose appetite.
These signs are common in other lung conditions, which makes many patients seek medical help only in advanced stages of the disease, greatly reducing the chance of recovery.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Among non-smokers, lung cancer detection often occurs through tests for other conditions, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the use of imaging tests, such as x-rays and tomography. Despite the fact that it is a disease that is often silent in its onset, screening is possible through preventive imaging tests. Low-dose chest tomography, which is recommended annually for people with a history of smoking and older than 55 years, can help identify the disease in its early stages, increasing the chances of cure.
Treatment options for lung cancer vary depending on the stage and characteristics of the tumor. Approaches include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and, in some cases, personalized therapies. The involvement of a multidisciplinary team – which may include oncologists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons and radio-oncologists – is essential to define the best therapeutic plan and monitor the patient throughout the process.
2024-11-14 21:48:00
#Lung #cancer #symptoms #nonsmokers #watch
