Lung cancer and what you need to know

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among cancers. It is more common in men, and 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.

According to Bach Mai Hospital, lung cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases and the leading cause of death among cancers globally. It is more common in men and is closely linked to a history of smoking.

There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is a fast-growing type of cancer that can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, there are currently about 1.3 billion smokers worldwide. Of these, low- and middle-income countries account for 82% of smokers globally, and this number is still increasing.

In Vietnam, according to a global survey of adults, the country is among the top 15 countries with the highest number of smokers in the world. The smoking rate among adult men is 47.4%, meaning that one in two adult men smokes.

Citing data from the World Health Organization, Mr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health, stated that approximately 600,000 people die each year due to regularly inhaling secondhand smoke.

According to health experts, with over 7,000 chemical substances, including 69 carcinogens, tobacco use is the cause of more than 25 dangerous diseases such as lung cancer, oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc., affecting both smokers and non-smokers who regularly inhale secondhand smoke.

Globally, tobacco use causes 90% of lung cancer cases, 75% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases, and 25% of ischemic heart disease cases. According to US estimates, tobacco use is the cause of approximately 30% of cancer deaths.

According to WHO statistics, 100 million people died in the 20th century from diseases related to tobacco use. Tobacco causes nearly 6 million deaths annually, a number projected to rise to over 8 million per year by 2020, with 70% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. If effective tobacco control measures are not implemented, tobacco use will kill 1 billion people this century.

The Tobacco Control Program Office states that in Vietnam, the burden of disease is shifting from infectious diseases to non-infectious diseases and is increasing rapidly. In 1986, non-infectious diseases accounted for only 39% of hospitalizations, but by 2011 this figure had risen to 62.7%.

Diseases primarily caused by tobacco use, such as stroke, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer, are leading causes of death in men. 28% of all male deaths are due to tobacco-related diseases.

Each year in Vietnam, approximately 40,000 people die from tobacco-related diseases. If Vietnam does not immediately implement effective measures to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco, this number will increase to 70,000 cases per year by 2030.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer

According to respiratory specialists, the early stages often present with few or no symptoms. As the disease progresses, the following symptoms usually appear:

-Chest pain, persistent pain, localized to one area

- Persistent cough, getting progressively worse, possibly with blood.

- Difficulty breathing can occur when a large tumor compresses or obstructs the airway.

Doctors advise that if you experience any of the above symptoms, you should see a doctor for early detection. In some cases, there are no symptoms at all until a tumor is discovered.

Causes and factors contributing to cancer:

- Tobacco: This is a major cause, accounting for approximately 90% of lung cancer cases. Non-smokers who regularly inhale secondhand smoke are also at risk of developing lung cancer.

People who don't smoke but inhale secondhand smoke are said to be exposed to passive smoking.

According to Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan, Director of Hanoi Heart Hospital, passive smokers are also at risk of developing the same diseases as active smokers, such as cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.

- Environmental pollution: Exposure to toxic chemicals during work such as silica dust, nickel, chromium, coal gas, exposure to steelmaking processes or by-products generated during the combustion of fossil fuels. This risk is greatly increased if the patient smokes.

- Exposure to radiation: carries a risk of cancer, including lung cancer. Uranium miners may be exposed to radiation by breathing air containing radioactive radon.

Nutrition and rest

According to nutrition experts, nutrition is crucial for lung cancer patients during treatment. Depending on the stage of treatment and the type of treatment being used, doctors will provide specific advice appropriate to each case.

Patients should have a balanced diet. This includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, moderate amounts of meat, low animal fat, and limited sugar.

Exercise: Regular, gentle physical activity and exercise are recommended. Patients should limit physical activity if they experience complications such as gastric bleeding.

Doctors advise that one of the most important things for lung cancer patients is to remain optimistic, relaxed, and trust their doctors.

Dr. Tuan advises: The best ways to prevent the disease are to quit smoking cigarettes and pipe tobacco; avoid exposure to radiation, dust, and smoke; practice safe working conditions; and eat plenty of foods rich in vitamins such as green vegetables and fresh fruits.

"Quitting smoking only takes two weeks, while many illnesses require years of treatment and are very expensive," Dr. Tuan emphasized.

According to the Ministry of Health, 40,000 people die each year in Vietnam, and over 23 trillion VND is spent on treating tobacco-related diseases. However, Vietnamese people still spend 22 trillion VND on cigarettes annually.

According to VOV