3 MAIN MYTHS ABOUT LUNG CANCER

Dear friends, November is World Lung Cancer Awareness Month, when we discuss the issues of diagnostics and treatment of this formidable disease with experts from National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Today we will talk about the most common misconceptions and scientific facts that refute them.

Our expert today is Grigoriy Afonin, MD, PhD, senior researcher of the thoracic department at A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Myth No. 1: “Only smokers get lung cancer”.

Unfortunately, absolutely everyone, including non-smokers, can get lung cancer. Of course, smoking is one of the main risk factors, but there are other reasons that should be taken into account:
occupational hazards,
genetic mutations,
family history.

Myth No. 2. “Lung cancer mainly affects older people”

Oncological alertness should be present at any age. Practice shows that people of all ages suffer from this disease – the risk factors are the same as those we discussed earlier. You never know at what age it will manifest itself. Let me draw your attention to the fact that cancer cells that infect the lungs divide very quickly, “triggering” the process of metastasis. Therefore, timely diagnosis of the disease is so important. The gold standard for lung cancer screening is a chest CT (without contrast), which is recommended annually starting at age 40. By the way, for heavy smokers, this study should be carried out after 15 years of smoking experience. That is, if you have been smoking since the age of 15, then you need to start getting examined at the age of 30.

Myth No. 3. “Women get lung cancer less often; it affects men more.”

Until recently, lung cancer was indeed considered a predominantly “male” disease. Nevertheless, the proportion of female patients remains impressive. According to domestic and international statistics, lung cancer occupies leading positions in both morbidity and mortality in the structure of cancer diseases of both sexes. Only in 2022, lung cancer was diagnosed in 43,907 men and 13,514 women in our country.

Interesting fact

In molecular biology studies, women are more likely to have mutations “suitable” for targeting or immunotherapy.

Dear friends, we are convinced that it is extremely important to be informed. When we know more about the disease, risk factors, possible causes of disease development, methods of diagnosis and treatment, as well as understand what actions to take – all this helps not only to detect the disease at early stages, but also to interact rationally with doctors, and thus – to act with the best results for the patient. Today, specialists have at their disposal all the most advanced developments and methods of surgical, drug and radiation treatment, which are available and used to help patients.

Take care of yourself, undergo examinations timely and be healthy!