Lung cancer: What you need to know?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in America, with more than 324,000 new cases and nearly 262,000 deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In Panama, according to the information he presented Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan, acronym in English) in 2020, 340 new cases of lung cancer and a total of 320 deaths in both men and women were registered.

These figures could increase according to projections Pan American Health Organization, which show that in 2030 there will be more than 541,000 new cases.

Symptoms

Lung cancer does not have to cause visible symptoms early stages, i Many people are not diagnosed with the disease until it is in an advanced stage, said medical oncologist Ignacio Véliz.

He adds that there is very little in the lungs nerve endings and in some cases, there could be a tumor in them without causing pain or discomfort.

When symptoms occur are different for each person, but may include a persistent cough, hoarseness, constant chest pain, shortness of breath or wheezing, weight loss, bone pain, headache, coughing up blood, etc. as common lung infections, such as which are bronchitis and pneumonia.

People who develop any of the following problems should see a specialist doctor who can assess these symptoms and develop a diagnostic plan.

“Early-stage lung cancer may not cause symptoms. Warning symptoms are: a recent cough that does not stop, worsening of a chronic cough, bloody sputum, difficulty breathing with less effort than usual, pain in the chest and upper back, and the presence of infections. frequent repetition,” he explains.

Risk factors

Anyone can get lung cancer. There are several factors that can cause lung cells to change (mutation). Among the main risk factors for the development of the disease are:

-Tobacco smoke: Smoking is definitely the biggest risk factor for lung cancer. Approximately 80% of lung cancer deaths are believed to be caused by smoking.

– Exposure to pollution and smoke from smokers: If you don’t smoke, breathing in smoke produced by others (secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke) can increase your risk of lung cancer.

– Age. Lung cancer mainly occurs in the elderly. Most people diagnosed are 65 or older; very few people with the diagnosis are younger than 45 years old. The average age of people at the time of diagnosis is approximately 70 years.

– Black men and women: Statistics from the American Cancer Society show that blacks are approximately 15% more likely to develop lung cancer than whites. The rate is approximately 14% lower in black women than in white women.

– Environmental pollution: In cities, air pollution (especially near busy roads) appears to slightly increase the risk of lung cancer, and some researchers estimate that globally about 5% of all lung cancer deaths may be caused by outdoor air pollution.

– Exposure to inhalation of gases and chemicals: Exposure to radon, asbestos, uranium and other inhaled chemicals such as: arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, silicon, vinyl chloride, nickel compounds, chromium compounds, carbon products, mustard gas, ethers. Chloromethyl and diesel combustion products are carcinogenic agents that increase the risk of contracting this disease.