Lung cancer, for early detection

Every year, 300,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed, a disease that ranks among the leading causes of death in the world.

85% of these patients are in an advanced stage, according to data from international organizations in the context of the World Lung Cancer Day, today, November 17.

This one pathology is perceived as a disease directly related to tobacco consumptiona stigma that affected so many patients smokers Like without smokingand although not all types of lung cancer are caused by this factor, it is important that anti-smoking policies and early detection plans are implemented to reduce the burden of this pathology, pointed out Dr. Andrés Rojas, AstraZeneca Medical Director for Central America and the Caribbean.

In addition, the lack of knowledge about therapeutic progress that have been achieved in recent years, makes patients continue to think about lung cancer like a death sentence, surrounded by a culture of silence.

“The lung cancer treatment journey is complex and patients can often be expected to cope with limited support,” he added.

Action

Despite the considerable Economic burden which represents for public healthseveral Latin American countries are working on specific targets for treatment diseaseand those who do, do not supervise patients And it is treatmentswhich makes it difficult to collect data that allows for an assessment of its progress over time, he believed.

To do this, they must establish planned strategies and adapted to the available resources of each country, since early detection can mean a change in statistics disease, reducing treatment costs and expanding its possibilities, in order to ensure patient survival.

As part of the World Lung Cancer Day, AstraZeneca presented the report “The Price of Inaction”, which highlights the importance of establishing structures for early detection, timely diagnosis and public policies in Health systems.