Lung cancer continues to be a pressing health issue, affecting individuals across various age groups. More than half of those diagnosed with lung cancer are older than 65, but alarming trends show an increase in cases among younger individuals, particularly women under the age of 50. In November, recognized as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, experts stress the importance of awareness, prevention, and early detection.
Environmental factors play a significant role in lung cancer risk. Living in polluted cities has been identified as a contributing factor, alongside the well-documented risks associated with tobacco use. Dr. Fred R. Hirsch, the executive director of the Center of Excellence for Thoracic Oncology at Mount Sinai’s Tisch Cancer Institute, emphasizes that the combination of pollution and tobacco may exacerbate the risk of developing lung cancer.
“Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter were positively associated with a risk of lung cancer,” Dr. Hirsch stated. He further noted that occupational exposure to air pollution, particularly among professional drivers, significantly increases both the incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer.
As public health officials advocate for smoking cessation, they highlight the myriad benefits of quitting tobacco products. Dr. Hirsch explained, “It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been smoking, quitting smoking at any time improves your health. When you quit, you are likely to add years to your life, breathe more easily, have more energy, and save money.”
The significance of lung cancer screening cannot be understated. Screening with low-dose CT scans in high-risk populations can reduce lung cancer mortality by more than 20%. According to Dr. Hirsch, “Lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan in high-risk populations, such as people who are 50 years old with a history of smoking a pack a day for 20 or more years, reduces lung cancer mortality by more than 20%.”
The landscape of lung cancer treatment is evolving. Advances in therapies have improved outcomes for patients diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease. “Even lung cancer diagnosed in more advanced disease today has a much better potential for long-term survival in certain situations,” Dr. Hirsch noted. He pointed out that progress in understanding specific genetic mutations has led to targeted therapies that enhance treatment effectiveness.
However, myths surrounding lung cancer persist. Dr. Hirsch dispelled some common misconceptions, stating, “No, that is not true,” when addressing myths about demographics and susceptibility to the disease. He elaborated on the growing number of younger patients diagnosed with lung cancer, highlighting that “more and more younger individuals below the age of 50 are getting lung cancer, particularly women.”
Despite ongoing research into various potential risk factors—including talc mining—Dr. Hirsch cautioned that findings remain inconclusive. He explained, “Some studies have shown a slightly higher risk in people who are involved in talc mining and processing, but it is not clear whether it is because of the mineral or other things underground known to cause lung cancer, such as the radioactive gas radon.”
Leave a Reply