Lung cancer, the most aggressive and deadly

• April 28, 2024

Lung cancer has become one of the main diseases worldwide, since death rates are very high. In Mexico, 10 thousand cases are diagnosed each year; unfortunately only 1.2% of cases are detected in a timely manner.

Oscar Arrieta, coordinator of the Lung and Thorax Cancer Clinic, National Institute of Cancerology (INCan), noted that lung cancer is ranked eighth among the oncological diseases, due to its frequency, but occupies the first place of mortality.

The official of the INCan , says that the main factor to develop this cancer is smoking. In spite of all the prevention and information campaigns, this habit has increased, in a year, among the Mexican population in 49.9% in men and 16.6% in women.

This pathology is one of the most aggressive, since of the 250 new patients treated by the institute for this disease, 90% die before 18 months . Given this situation, it is vital to raise awareness among the population of the harm that tobacco can do to the organism. Lung cancer can be prevented in up to 80% of cases, which is why efforts should be directed in particular to young people so that they do not reach tragic consequences.

Lung cancer is responsible for 30% of the total oncological deaths in the world, since each year about 1.6 million cases are diagnosed, of which 1.4 million will die due to the disease.

The INCan has a Stop Smoking Clinic, in which a multidisciplinary group that provides professional help to all those who want to change their lifestyle, this is an excellent alternative for a good part of Mexicans to reduce cancer risks.

The treatment consists of two phases, the first: in which a psychological interview , with the aim of assessing the smoker's condition and the motivation to quit smoking; subsequently they are made medical studies such as chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, spirometry, blood chemistry, liver function tests, complete blood count and lipid profile.

The second stage includes a treatment of 10 group sessions Through a cognitive-behavioral program, which aims to help restructure the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of the smoker, in order to develop psychological skills to quit.

Source: Health Secretary

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