Number of People with Lung Cancer on the Rise

More than 2.2 million new lung cancer diagnoses made globally. Prof. Dr. Ufuk Yılmaz, Chair of the Lung Cancer Working Group at Turkey Respiratory Research Association (TÜSAD), emphasised that lung cancer ranks first in mortality statistics in many countries and drew attention to a notable increase among women. Yılmaz, noting that precautions need to be taken against COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks that increase during winter months, warned: "Two doses of COVID-19 vaccine provide protection at a rate reaching 86 per cent. Lung cancer patients should consult their doctors and get vaccinated." Within the scope of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which will continue throughout November, Turkey Respiratory Research Association (TÜSAD) drew attention to the increase in cases. Prof. Dr. Ufuk Yılmaz, Chair of TÜSAD's Lung Cancer Working Group, noted that 2,206,771 new lung cancer diagnoses were made globally in 2020, and that one of every five cancer deaths is caused by lung cancer. Another point highlighted by Yılmaz was that while lung cancer occurs twice as frequently in men, there has been an increase in female patients in recent years. Prof. Dr. Ufuk Yılmaz, noting that the 2.2 million new cases represented 11.4 per cent of newly diagnosed cancers in 2020, stated: "One of every ten cancers diagnosed is lung cancer. Unfortunately, this disease is the only cancer type where death numbers are expressed in millions. In 2020, 1,796,114 people died from lung cancer worldwide. That is, 18 per cent of those who died from cancer last year died from lung cancer. This shows that one of every five cancer deaths is due to lung cancer. The number of deaths from breast cancer, which ranks first among the most common cancers, in 2020 was 684,996, which means 6.9 per cent of cancer-related deaths."

Mortality rates are very high

Yılmaz, noting that lung cancer ranks first in frequency rankings in 36 countries and leads cancer mortality rankings in 93 countries, provided the following information on disease distribution by gender: "The incidence of lung cancer in men is 14.3 per cent. In cancer-related deaths in men, lung cancer ranks clearly first with 21.5 per cent. For women, it is possible to say there has been a notable increase; the incidence is 8.4 per cent, ranking third, while it ranks second among cancer-related deaths. Globally, lung cancer occurs twice as frequently in men compared to women and causes twice as many deaths. However, these rates may vary by country and region. Additionally, Turkey has the highest country-based incidence among men globally at 41.7 per hundred thousand, meaning the highest number of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases annually. In other words, lung cancer is both a frequently occurring and frequently fatal disease."

Early diagnosis is important

Yılmaz, noting that the most important challenge with lung cancer is the difficulty in early diagnosis due to the lack of specific symptoms, issued the following warnings: "Unfortunately, there is neither a symptom nor a complaint or clinical finding specific to lung cancer. The most frequently occurring complaints are coughing, sputum, shortness of breath, sometimes blood in sputum, or chest pain. However, inside the lungs, which we describe as a football field-sized area with two large alveolar sacs, early stage cancer measuring less than 2-3 cm means nothing in terms of space occupied and therefore causes no complaints at all. What is actually important is being able to diagnose the disease at this exact stage when the patient has no complaints. When diagnosis is made after complaints develop, the disease often reaches undesired dimensions."

90 per cent of lung cancer patients use tobacco

Yılmaz, emphasising that while lung cancer is difficult to treat, it is a disease that can be prevented with certain precautions, noted that the most important risk factor in its development is the use of tobacco and tobacco products. Yılmaz shared the following statistics on this matter: "The fact that nearly all lung cancer patients, proportionally 90 per cent, have used tobacco and cigarettes at some point in their lives clearly demonstrates the relationship between lung cancer and cigarettes. While our country is conducting an effective struggle against cigarette use, the rates are still very high. According to Turkish Statistical Institute 2019 data, the proportion of individuals aged 15 and above regularly using tobacco daily was 26.5 per cent in 2016; in 2019, this rate increased to 28.0 per cent. In 2019, the rate of men using cigarettes was 41.3 per cent and women 14.9 per cent. The proportion of individuals not using tobacco (those who quit and those who never used) was 69.4 per cent in 2016 and declined to 68.7 per cent in 2019. When examined by age groups, individuals using tobacco most frequently were in the 35-44 age group at 42.8 per cent. Reducing tobacco use rates, which are among the causes of respiratory disease development, is the clearest step to be taken in disease prevention."

Vaccines have high protective rates

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues and an increase in influenza infection is expected this year, Yılmaz, noting that lung cancer patients must definitely complete their vaccinations, concluded his statement as follows: "Vaccines are administered to protect individuals against certain infections and to help the person's immune system recognise infectious agents. It is believed that in people with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment, the immune system is weakened and therefore adequate protection cannot be provided. For this reason, it is important for cancer patients to know which vaccines are safe. Patients must obtain information from their doctors about the use of live virus or inactive vaccines. Live virus vaccines should not be administered to cancer patients. Live virus vaccines can cause disease in people with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment. Vaccines such as BioNTech and Moderna, which are also applied in our country, are genetic material (mRNA) vaccines. After a person is vaccinated, the mRNA enters cells in the body and the cells are instructed to make copies of the COVID-19 spike protein. This does not cause disease. It teaches the immune system cells, which will encounter the virus in the future, how to behave against the virus. The BioNTech vaccine provides 86 per cent protection in cancer patients after the second dose. There is no change in the side effect profile. An additional booster vaccine in cancer patients motivates the immune system. Since influenza and pneumonia vaccines are not live vaccines, patients with lung cancer can receive them. Patients can consult their doctors for vaccine planning."