The Portuguese Society of Pneumology (SPP) considers that early diagnosis and screening for lung cancer are essential to increase the survival of the third most common type of cancer in Portugal and the one that kills the most.
In a statement, on the occasion of World Lung Cancer Day, which is celebrated tomorrow, Tuesday, the SPP warns about the symptoms of lung cancer and underlines the importance of early diagnosis due to its impact on reducing mortality.
“[Screening] is recommended for individuals between 50 and 75 years old with a tobacco consumption of more than 20 units/pack-year and former smokers for less than 10 years”, argue Gabriela Fernandes and Margarida Dias, SPP pulmonologists , cited in the statement released today.
But the SPP recalls that although tobacco consumption is the main cause associated with this disease, there is a percentage of about 15% of patients who are non-smokers, so that early diagnosis can be compromised.
“There may be a delay in diagnosis. In general, screening programs do not include these factors and, moreover, the population is not as alert to the possibility of this occurrence”, add the pulmonologists.
Gabriela Fernandes and Margarida Dias indicate that suspicion should always be based on the presence of risk factors, so that in addition to tobacco consumption, factors such as passive exposure to tobacco, exposure to radon (in some geographical areas and occupations) should be considered , occupational exposures, and family history.
Specialists point out that “prolonged respiratory symptoms – such as coughing, sputum and bloody sputum –, constitutional symptoms for patients with previous respiratory diseases and modification of pre-existing symptoms” are some of the signs that health professionals, in particular healthcare professionals, primary health, should be aware.
Finally, the SPP defends an approach “always multidisciplinary, given the growing complexity that the disease demands”, considering “nuclear” the specialties of pulmonology, oncology, radiology, thoracic surgery, pathological anatomy, as well as palliative care.
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