Lung Cancer Awareness By Epillo Health Systems

 

1. November is officially lung cancer awareness month. The event started back in 1995 as lung cancer awareness day. As the lung cancer community and the lung cancer movement grew, the awareness activities increased and the day matured into Lung Cancer awareness month. During the month, people throughout the country come together to support the lung cancer community and raise awareness about the disease.
2. HISTORY • Until 1878, lung cancer was still considered rare as it made up only 1% of all cancers. Unfortunately, this percentage rose to 10% in 1918 and further escalated to over 14% in 1927. This is because smoking had increased over the years but its adverse impact on the human body had not yet been detected. • In 1929, German physician Fritz Lickint first recognized and highlighted the connection between smoking and lung cancer. • Naturally, this lead to an anti-tobacco movement in Nazi Germany, which later trickled down into other parts of the world where cases of lung cancer were increasing. • By the 1930s, an unusual increase in the disease was noted and researchers began assessing the role of smoking in lung cancer. • A case-control study was published in 1940 in Germany where it was stated that “the extraordinary rise in tobacco use was the single most important cause of the rising incidence of lung cancer.”
3. ABOUT THE DISEASE Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. In fact, lung cancer is responsible for more deaths in the country than the next three most common causes of cancer death combined — colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. As they grow, the abnormal cells can form tumours and interfere with the functioning of the lung, which provides oxygen to the body via the blood.
4. Causes of Lung Cancer Smoking — It is the number one cause of lung cancer. Tobacco smoke contains many chemicals that are known to cause lung cancer. Nonsmokers also can be affected by smoking. Breathing in secondhand smoke puts you at risk for lung cancer or other illnesses. Radon — It exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that exists naturally in soil. It comes up through the soil and enters buildings through small gaps and cracks. Exposure to radon combined with cigarette smoking seriously increases your lung cancer risk. Genes — Genetic factors also may play a role in one’s chances of developing lung cancer. A family history of lung cancer may mean you are at a higher risk of getting the disease. If others in your family have or ever had lung cancer, it’s important to mention this to your doctor. Particle Pollution — It refers to a mix of very tiny solid and liquid particles that are in the air we breathe. Evidence shows that particle pollution — like that coming from that exhaust smoke — increases the risk of lung cancer. Hazardous Chemicals — Exposure to certain hazardous chemicals poses a lung cancer risk. Working with materials such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and some petroleum products is especially dangerous. 1 2 3 4 5
5. FACTS 3 • .Lung cancer ranks first worldwide with an incident rate of 11.6% .compared to other types of cancer 4 • .Cigarette smoking is linked to about 90% of lung cancer deaths. 5 • .Most patients do not show symptoms of lung cancer until they have .reached advanced stages. 1 • .81% of those living with lung cancer are over the age of 60 2 • .Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both .men and women, making up almost 25% of all cancer deaths
6. Symptoms Coughing — A cough that does not go away or gets worse Fatigue — Shortness of breath and Feeling tired or weak Hoarseness — Voice sounds raspy, strained or breathy
7. DEATHS HAPPEN WORLDWIDE DUE TO LUNG CANCER
8. Lung ancer Incidence (MALE)
9. Lung Cancer Incidence (FEMALE)
10. TYPES OF LUNG CANCER NSCLC begins when healthy cells in the lung change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor, a lesion, or a nodule. About 80% to 85% of lung cancers are NSCLC. The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. These subtypes, which start from different types of lung cells are grouped together as NSCLC because their treatment and prognoses (outlook) are often similar. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) SCLC is a very aggressive form of cancer that often goes undiagnosed until it’s more advanced, so the survival rate tends to be low. About 10% to 15% of all lung cancers are SCLC and it is sometimes called oat cell cancer. This type of lung cancer tends to grow and spread faster than NSCLC. About 70% of people with SCLC will have cancer that has already spread at the time they are diagnosed. Since this cancer grows quickly, it tends to respond well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
11. AGE RISK FACTOR % 80+ years <60 years 60–69 years 70–79 years
12. Stages of Lung Cancer The staging of cancer describes how far it has spread through the body and how severe it is. Staging helps healthcare professionals and individuals decide on a suitable course of treatment. The most basic form of staging is as follows: • Localized — Wherein the cancer is within a limited area • Regional — Wherein the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes • Distant — Wherein the cancer has spread to other parts of the body Healthcare professionals assess the tumor for size and spread, whether or not it affects the lymph nodes and whether or not it has spread elsewhere.
13. TREATMENTS Lung cancer is treated in several ways, depending on the type of lung cancer and how far it has spread. People with non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with :- • Surgery • Chemotherapy • Radiation therapy • Targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. People with small cell lung cancer are usually treated with :- • Radiation therapy • Chemotherapy
14. SURGERY CHEMOTHEREPY • Surgery is considered the “gold standard” for treating early-stage lung cancer because removing the tumor is the best solution for patients whose disease is localized. Although, not all tumors are resectable due to their locations or have invaded vital structures. • Many surgeries are done with a long incision in the side of the chest, known as a thoracotomy. Some early stage tumors may be treated with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), which uses several small incisions and special long surgical tools. • Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that are designed to kill rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells. It may be injected directly into a vein (by IV or intravenously) or given through a catheter, a thin tube placed into a large vein and kept there until the required period. Some chemotherapy drugs are taken in the pill form. • Chemotherapy affects both normal cells and cancer cells. Side effects depend largely on the specific type of drug and the amount given. They can be different for each person and may be only temporary. Common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores or fatigue.
15. RADIATION THERAPY IMMUNOTHEREPY • Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is a “focused” treatment designed to maximize its effect on the cancer cells while minimizing injury to normal cells. Radiation to treat lung cancer most often comes from a machine (external radiation). The radiation may be delivered internally using tubes that place a radioactive seed directly near the tumor. • Common side effects of radiation therapy are dry & sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, fatigue, skin changes at the treatment site, or loss of appetite. • Immunotherapy is a new cancer treatment approach that uses drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to activate the immune system’s natural defenses to fight cancer. One immunotherapy drug, called “anti-PD-1” has shown a significant tumor regression in a quarter of patients who receive it after a round of chemotherapy. Three immunotherapy drugs — Pembrolizumab, Atezolizumab, and Nivolumab — have been approved to treat certain non-small cell lung cancers. • Immunotherapy has some side effects, which happen when the immune system revved up to act against cancer, healthy cells, and tissues in the body. Some of its side effects are pain, swelling, soreness, redness, or rash.
16. OBJECTIVES ➢Raising awareness about the risk factors that increase the possibility of developing lung cancer. ➢Raising public awareness of lung cancer. ➢Raising awareness about the importance of early detection of lung cancer. ➢Supporting scientific researches on lung cancer.
17. GET IN TOUCH Epillo Health Systems info@epillo.com +91 11 3550 4077