Brand Studio for Bristol Myers Squibb
Lung cancer is one of the most common tumours worldwide, according to data from the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC). According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), one of its main symptoms is shortness of breath.
Oncologist Diego Kaen (MP 1898), a lung cancer specialist and President of the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (AAOC), explained the characteristics of the disease in smokers and non-smokers.
"Even though smoking is one of the most important risk factors for lung cancer, there are 10 to 20 percent of patients who are not smokers," Kaen says.
"You also have to keep in mind that when a person doesn't smoke, they can still be exposed to cigarette smoke. These cases are called "secondhand smokers" and are the ones who receive "secondhand smoke," Kaen said.
Early detection is very important to improve the chances of success in cancer treatment.
What are the risk factors that can affect non-smokers? The first thing to clarify is that those who have smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their entire life are considered non-smokers and this represents between 10 and 20% of all lung cancer cases.
"Whether they're people who have smoked or not, the symptoms are the same: cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and tiredness," Kaen said.
Other causes are air pollution, as well as asbestos (a group of minerals that was once used for construction that was banned in most countries around the world more than 20 years ago), and genetics, especially those with a family background.
Early diagnosis is the main condition for success in lung cancer treatment, which is why it is essential to carry out the corresponding check-ups.
"It is essential that people remember that many times lung cancer does not give any symptoms and you have to have clinical and medical check-ups, because a timely diagnosis makes the difference in the success of the treatment. But the biggest problem is that people don't even dare to pronounce the word cancer because it seems synonymous with death. We try to knock this down because nowadays treatments have advanced and we have excellent results. But beyond that, prevention remains critical," Dr. Kaen said.
The importance of detecting it early
Early diagnosis is the main condition for success in lung cancer treatment, which is why it is essential to carry out the corresponding check-ups.
Although the risk is higher in smokers and/or former smokers, it is essential that all people have the corresponding check-ups every year since the symptoms are usually late or non-specific.
"In most patients, the diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical data and when a radiological study detects a pulmonary abnormality. Patients with lung cancer are often given complementary examinations to determine their general condition, including a complete medical history and physical examination. It is important to keep in mind that screening, which are low-dose CT scans, are only performed on patients who smoke or who have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) because they are the most at risk of suffering from the disease," explains Kaen.
Are vapes a risk factor? "There is still time to know the effect of vaping on the incidence of lung cancer. Vapes are not just vapor, because there are certain particles that get into the lung. There is an alert about vaping in different types of cancer ranging from the mouth, neck, esophagus and also lung. But there is still time to develop the research and studies to relate them directly."
What types of lung cancer are there? "There are two big types. On the one hand, small cell cancer, which only represents 15% of cases and which, in an advanced stage, are the ones that have had the least advances in treatments."
"The other type is non-small cell, which in turn divides into squamous cell carcinoma (or squamous cell carcinoma) and adenocarcinoma (which is the most common)."
"But today, the most important thing to plan treatment is to study the DNA of the tumor with new techniques to see if there are genetic alterations. This study is carried out on diseased tissue and is called NGS (Next Generation Sequencing)," concludes the specialist.
What is the mortality rate in lung cancer?
In this regard, Dr. Kaen explains that it represents 25% of deaths from cancer, it is one of the most deadly of all tumors. However, it is important to clarify that this statistic has gone down over the years.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer. Photo: Shutterstock.
"Mortality is determined by the stage of the disease, regardless of whether or not the person was a smoker. If the disease is detected at an early stage, the chances of survival after 5 years are between 80 and 90%. But in a stage 4, the chances go down to 20%."
"Although mortality does not vary between smokers and non-smokers, it is more common to find mutations in genes in the latter, so they have a better chance of cure because of the possibility of the treatments that are available," said the doctor.
Lung cancer: what are the major advances in treatments?
Treatment for lung cancer varies depending on the stage of the patient's disease and other factors. Options may include: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
The picture changes when there is metastasis, when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. That is why early detection in patients who smoke or who have COPD from screening is very important. Today there are between 25 and 30% of patients with metastases who have managed to make the disease chronic thanks to advances in treatments.
It is important to note that, although it is not the most common, lung cancer in non-smokers also exists. Therefore, in the face of the aforementioned symptoms (cough, chest pain, hoarseness or diphonia, breathing difficulties or tiredness) it is important to consult a doctor, who will evaluate the steps to follow in each case.
"Breathing is an ART": An Initiative to Raise Awareness About Lung Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb together with the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (AAOC) and with the support of the Argentine League to Fight Cancer (LALCEC), present the campaign "Breathing is an ART, take care of your lungs".
Within the framework of International Lung Cancer Day and, with the aim of raising awareness about the disease, its prevention and the importance of its early diagnosis, Bristol Myers Squibb together with the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (AAOC) and with the support of the Argentine League to Fight Cancer (LALCEC), present the campaign "Breathing is an ART, take care of your lungs".
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. According to the Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), each year more than 2 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, whose mortality is double that caused by colorectal and liver cancers and is higher than that of breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers combined.
In Argentina, more than 12,000 cases are diagnosed per year and, according to projections by Globocan (Global Cancer Observatory), by 2030 this figure will increase to more than 14,700, 22.5% more than those registered in 2020.
The "Breathing is an ART" campaign proposes a message that focuses on breathing, with the aim of raising awareness about lung cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. Breathing is a biological function, an involuntary act that our body does unconsciously. But if we think about the vitality of this simple act, we could call it an ART. The art of breathing has to do with being aware of the fundamentals of this involuntary act, revaluing it and making visible the importance of staying healthy in order to continue practicing it and living fully.
The "Breathing is an ART" campaign proposes a message that focuses on breathing, with the aim of raising awareness about lung cancer and the importance of early diagnosis
As part of the initiative and under the slogan "take care of your lungs", Lorena Vardé, artist and lung cancer patient who lives the disease in her own skin; and Mariana Jasper, artist, communicator and daughter of Dr. Miryam B. Losanovcky, one of the referents of Argentine pulmonology whose main interest in the specialty was Lung Cancer, to create under her art four postcards, inspired by plants and flowers as a representation of life, breathing, as a metaphor for health, for taking care of ourselves so that our lungs flourish.
You can download the postcards from the campaign's website, so that the message of awareness reaches further and calls for action.
"Most tumours can be prevented and treated, and early detection favours the success of treatments. In this way, we work steadily together with the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology and the main Patient Associations in the country in awareness campaigns on prevention and timely diagnosis," said Silvana Kurkdjian, General Manager for Argentina Bristol Myers Squibb.
While not all lung cancers can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk, such as changing harmful habits such as smoking, keeping environments smoke-free; poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle, due to healthy habits. A healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can also help reduce your risk. There is evidence to suggest that healthy eating may help protect against lung cancer for both smokers and nonsmokers.
Early diagnosis is the main condition for successful treatment, which is why it is essential to carry out the corresponding check-ups.
Taking preventive measures are necessary to reduce the cases of lung cancer and thus be able to enjoy the art of breathing.
"Breathing is an ART" is part of "Living with Cancer", the initiative of Bristol Myers Squibb together with the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology, which promotes prevention and early diagnosis, with a focus on the accompaniment of patients and their environment.
To join the dissemination of the campaign and obtain more information, we invite you to visit: www.vivirconcancer.net/respiraresunarte.