Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Even though modernity in the technical and medical field has made the treatment of cancer much easier than before, but still millions of people die every year due to this disease. Prostate cancer risks are considered to be the highest in men, with breast and ovarian cancer in women. In a recent report, health experts have advised people to take precautions considering lung cancer as a major concern.
Lung cancer is the second most commonly reported cancer in the US. In the year 2020, an estimated 135,720 people died due to it, surprisingly this figure is more than the deaths from breast cancer, and colon, and prostate cancer combined. Health experts have also expressed concern about the rising cases of lung cancer in India. Doctors believe that in 2023, an estimated more than 2.38 lakh people may be diagnosed with this cancer.
Scientists have issued guidelines regarding the prevention of increasing lung cancer, which is very important for all people to know.
Lung Cancer on the Rise in Indians
Researchers at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported in a study that India could see a more than seven-fold increase in lung cancer cases by 2025 as compared to the situation in the last decade. Scientists expressed concern over the lack of population-level screening tools, saying that if not improved, it could be difficult to reduce the death rate.
About 45% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. In Indians, it is usually diagnosed at the age of 50, by the time the condition has worsened.
Emphasis on screening in guidelines
Based on the trial and other modeling information, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued guidelines for lung cancer screening, including screening for lung cancer in people ages 50 to 80, at least annually. There is an emphasis on increasing cancer screening in people who smoke 20 packs.
The USPSTF estimates that following the new guideline could reduce lung cancer deaths by 13% more than before.
What do experts say?
According to the report of Harvard Medical School, smoking is the main risk factor for this cancer, so people who have been smoking for a long time have been advised to increase the screening for this cancer. Blacks have a higher risk of lung cancer than whites in the US.
Scientists say expanding screening criteria could make it easier to screen more people at risk of cancer.
Smoking, a major risk factor for cancer
Earlier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expressed concern over the major risk factors for lung cancer and found smoking to be a major factor for it. According to scientists, cigarette smoking is the cause of about 80% to 90% of deaths due to lung cancer. This danger is increasing with other tobacco products as well. Tobacco smoke is a toxic mixture of over 7,000 chemicals.
(PC: freepik)
