Every year, 18 million people around the world get cancer and about 9.5 million people die because of it. Making a statement on the occasion of “Lung Cancer Awareness Month”, Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Instructor Member Aygün Gür stated that lung cancer ranks first among cancers seen in men all over the world, and third in women.
LUNG CANCER IS A PREVENTABLE DISEASE
Smoking is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Emphasizing that 80 percent is related to smoking, Dr. Instructor Member Aygün Gür said, “Apart from cigarettes, tobacco products such as cigars, pipes, hookahs, passive smoking and even electronic cigarettes are reported to be effective in the development of lung cancer. In addition, environmental and occupational exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, radon and air pollution, genetic predisposition and family history also cause lung cancer. Gür also stated that the most effective method in the fight against lung cancer is that people never start smoking; He also stated that smokers should quit smoking regardless of their age and that lung cancer is a preventable disease.
ATTENTION TO LUNG CANCER SYMPTOMS
Lung cancer occurs when normal cells in the lung tissue multiply out of control and form a mass, or tumor. The mass grows and first spreads to the surrounding tissues, and through the circulation to other organs such as the brain and liver. Stating that lung cancer may not show symptoms in the early period, Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Aygün Gür said, “Symptoms such as persistent and increasing cough, coughing up blood or bloody sputum from the mouth, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, weakness, anorexia, persistent and recurrent lung infection can be seen.”
For diagnosis, after the mass is detected by imaging methods such as chest x-ray and computed tomography, the way in which the sample will be taken is determined by reaching the mass. Stating that the treatment is planned after the type and stage of the cancer are determined, Gür said, “Early diagnosis is very important in lung cancer. It increases the chance of treatment and reduces the death rate. Treatment; It is planned in the light of factors such as the patient’s age, clinical condition, type and stage of cancer, and one or more of the surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy programs are applied together.