Diagnoses of lung cancer, one of the deadliest and most common of all cancers and the second most frequent and the most kills in Portugal, have increased in non -smokers. But what explains this bad news?
According to the International Cancer Research Agency, which resorted to data from 2022 from Global Cancer Observatory, it is the fault of high levels of air pollution.
The agency sought to obtain estimates of four major lung cancer subtypes – adenocarcinomasquamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma – per year, gender and age, and calculated specific country, gender and age and age -specific incidence rates for 100,000 people for all for all 100,000 people for all 100,000 people Four subtypes, according to the study on February 3 at The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
The group found about 200,000 cases associated with exposure to air pollution. The largest number of adenocarcinomas related to this type of pollution was found in eastern Asia, with particular incidence in China.
Lung cancer in non -smokers is the fifth largest cause of death associated with cancer worldwide, the researchers notice. O Adenocarcinoma is the most common, and affects more women than men.
In 2022, it is estimated that 2 480 675 new cases of lung cancer have occurred around the world. Of the 1 572 045 new estimated cases among men, 45.6% were adenocarcinomas. Among women, it is estimated that there were 908 630 new cases of lung cancer worldwide, of which 59.7% were adenocarcinomas.
How to prevent?
Smoking exposure is a risk factor and, even though they are not smoking, individuals can become passive smokers if they are constantly surrounded by smokers.
Investigators also recommend to avoid large pollution places and use protective equipment if you have to be close to industries.
Doing physical activities is one of the recommendations as it strengthens the immune system and improves pulmonary function.
And in Portugal? There will be a new screening program
A working group will define the terms of reference for a future lung cancer screening, determined the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), which considers that the main efforts should be directed to smokers and former fans.
The creation of this working group is in an order by the Deputy Director General of Health, André Peralta Santos, who justified the measure with the possible need to elaborate a norm that determines a future lung cancer screening program, the second most frequent and the most kills in Portugal.
According to the order, the potential benefits of early diagnosis of lung cancer, through low -dose computed tomography, may be about 12.5 years of additional lifeeven in the presence of comoribility.
“To the extent that smoking causes most cases of lung cancer in men and women, screening efforts should be directed to current smokers and former fumers,” says the order.
In practice, the working group consisting of seven experts, including pulmonologists, oncologists and radiologists, among others, will define the eligible population and the population to track, the primary screening test and the clinical management process of their results. It will also define the minimum number of people to track to properly evaluate a pilot project, as well as make a proposal for specific indicators for lung cancer screening.
This working group must submit a report within 30 days.
At the end of 2022, the then Minister of Health, Manuel Pizarro, announced the expansion of the cancer screening program to the lung, prostate and stomach cancers, which should start the following year with pilot projects.
Tracking is a process of early diagnosis in people who do not have symptoms and, in Portugal, there is a program of disposal for breast cancer, colorectal and cervix.
