November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a critical time to highlight the impact of lung cancer, which is diagnosed in 2.5 million people globally each year and remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for 1.8 million fatalities annually. The good news is that lung cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.
Smoking is by far the largest risk factor accounting for more than 80% of lung cancers, but other risks include exposure to pollution, radon, asbestos, and infections like TB, HIV, or autoimmune disorders.
Prevention:
Quitting smoking is the most improtant important preventive measure.
Avoid exposure to pollution, radon, and asbestos
Screening:
Those with a history of 20 pack-years of smoking should have an annual low-dose CT scan of the chest, unless they’ve quit smoking for more than 15 years.
Despite the high risk, only 5% of eligible individuals get screened for lung cancer, compared to 90% of women who get mammograms for breast cancer. It is essential to encourage smokers to get screened, as early detection significantly improves survival rates.
Satheesh Kathula, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Hematologist and Oncologist
