AKURAT.CO, Deaths from lung cancer in Indonesia have continued to increase by 18 percent over the last two years. According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (2020), lung cancer cases in Indonesia occupy the top 3 positions, with additional new cases reaching 34,783 cases, and 30,843 people dying.
“Simply put, in a year, there are only 3-4 people per 100 patients,” said Prof. Aru Sudoyo, Internal Medicine Consultant Hematology and Medical Oncology in the 2021 World Lung Cancer Day Webinar, Thursday (26/8/2021).
Lung cancer itself is caused by many things. Among them are genetic factors, air pollution, a diet high in red meat that is processed very well or harmful chemical gases. However, data shows that nearly 80 percent of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.
“Smokers have a very high risk of lung cancer. They do not feel the disease in the near future, because the formation of cancer cells in the body takes a long time. But 80 percent of deaths from lung cancer are smokers,” said Internal Medicine Consultant Hematology and Oncology. Medic, Dr. Ikhwan Rinaldi, Sp.PD-KHOM, on the same occasion.
Active smokers have a 20-50 times risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Meanwhile, passive smoking is only 20-30 times the risk of lung cancer.
“It is important to know that anyone can get lung cancer, so it is necessary to take steps to start reducing and avoiding exposure to harmful substances, especially cigarette smoke and environmental pollution,” said Prof. Dr. dr. Aru Wisaksono Sudoyo, Sp.PD-KHOM , MPd.Ked, FINASIM, FACP, specialist in internal medicine, consultant hematology and medical oncology.
Then what about electric cigarettes?
Doctor Ikhwan explained that even e-cigarettes could be a risk factor for the formation of lung cancer cells. As is known, vaping liquids contain oncogenes including nicotine and its derivatives (nitros nikotin, ketone nitrosamine), then polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. These all can also cause cancer.
“Research conducted on mice exposed to e-cigarettes for 54 weeks showed the development of adenocarcinoma lungs with 9 out of 40 mice or 22.5 percent,” he said.
The symptoms of lung cancer that are most easily seen are a persistent and worsening cough, chest pain, and finally coughing up blood. While other symptoms include shortness of breath, pain in the chest, recurrent lung infections, swelling of the neck and face, fatigue for no reason, fever, weight loss until the voice becomes hoarse.[]
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