The performance of control tomographies in patients with Covid resulted in a greater number of diagnoses of tumors in initial stages “detected by chance”, being that 80% of lung cancer diagnoses, from which more than 9,200 patients die each year in Argentina, are made when the disease is advanced because it is usually asymptomatic initially.
“According to estimates made by the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Argentina is positioned among the countries in the world with a medium-high incidence of cancer, lung disease being the third largest cause of new cases in 2020,” the head of the Thoracic Surgery service of the Alexander Fleming Institute (IAF), Adolfo Rosales, said in an official statement.
“Argentina is positioned among the countries in the world with a medium-high incidence of cancer, lung cancer being the third largest cause of new cases in 2020”Adolfo Rosales
under the International Day to Fight Lung Cancerwhich is commemorated every November 17, the head of Thoracic Oncology at the IAF, Claudio Martin, explained that the coronavirus pandemic had a negative impact on the fight against this disease, as in other conditions.
Although there was a delay in diagnosis in symptomatic patients, due to difficulties in accessing medical care, “which caused it to be diagnosed in later stages”; As a counterpart, “the health crisis also prompted screening in many people who had no signs of the disease,” she said.
“The use of more control tomographies in Covid patients resulted in a greater number of diagnoses of tumors in early stages detected by chance,” said the specialist.
Lung cancer patients in Argentina
Each year, more than 9,200 lung cancer patients die in Argentina, which is equivalent to one death per hour, with more than 12,000 new cases per year, according to the latest figures published by the National Ministry of Health, although specialists say that the incidence of smoking has been decreasing in recent years , from 35 to 27%.
“Although the incidence of smoking has been decreasing in recent years, dropping from 35 to 27% of the population, lung cancer in Argentina continues to be high. In addition, it is the leading cause of cancer death in men and the third in women,” Claudio Martin said.
The percentage of deaths from this oncological disease shows an overwhelming average: one death per hour.
The percentage of deaths from this oncological disease shows an overwhelming average: one death per hour.
In Argentina, 130,878 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2020, of which the highest incidence were breast, colon, lung, prostate, liver, pancreas and cervix, according to data from the Global Cancer Observatory.
Carrying out studies such as mammograms, colonoscopy and even clinical analysis in people at risk due to family history, age group, habits such as smoking, can mean early detection of diseases such as cancer and thus have more opportunities to access health care. better treatment.
Meanwhile, the medical coordinator and the psychosocial area of the Argentine League for the Fight Against Cancer (Lalcec), doctor Carlos Silva, reported that “84% of patients with this type of tumor are associated with smoking, making it the main cause, not only for active smokers but also for passive smokers, those who are in an environment full of smoke produced by the combustion of cigarettes and of tobacco”.
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Over the next few weeks we will be conducting free pulmonology consultations for people between the ages of 55 and 74, smokers or those who have recently given up the habit. pic.twitter.com/ETr85LA7UM
— LALCEC Argentina (@LalcecArgentina) November 15, 2022
Other causes are environmental pollution and the continuous aspiration of wood smokewhich, although they produce different mutations than those of cigarettes, are also conducive to lung cancer and even other industrial environments contaminated with derivatives of hydrocarbons that can cause this disease.
As for prevention, there is a primary stage, which is based on raising awareness to avoid smoking or quit if dependence was acquired and not expose yourself to the combustion of hydrocarbons, in closed environments, in addition to reversing environmental pollution. .
A secondary stage leads to screening, which is the search for patients who may have lung cancer.
Another useful tool is to make an early detection through a low radiation chest tomography when it is directed specifically to the risk populations that are people between 40 and 50 years old, with the habit of smoking or who have not passed 15 years since. the moment I quit smoking.
