Every November 17, the International Day of the Fight Against Lung Cancer is commemorated, a disease that in Argentina affects 12,000 people per year and is the second cancer that generates the most deaths, after breast cancer.
According to data from the World Health Organization, this type of cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, including 2.1 million deaths in 2020.
In its documents, the WHO remarks that more than 85% of lung cancer diagnoses are related to smoking. Likewise, they explain that there is a great risk for those people who are in shared environments with smokers, considering them passive smokers.
One of the great disadvantages of lung cancer is that it does not usually present symptoms in the initial stages, and if they do, they are not very specific and it is difficult to link them with this disease.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emphasizes paying attention to the following common symptoms of lung cancer:
Strong cough that may include blood.
Chest pain that is even more present when you cough or laugh.
Loss of appetite
Weightloss.
Difficulty breathing.
Tiredness or weakness
Recurrent respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Chest whistle
Back or hip pain.
Nervous system disorders, headache and dizziness.
Yellowing of the skin.
Swelling of the lymph nodes.
The World Health Organization includes a list of habits to adopt for the prevention of lung cancer:
Avoid places where people have the habit of smoking, that is, passive consumption.
Do not smoke tobacco.
Decrease alcohol consumption.
Avoid contact with toxic chemicals, pollutants, or radiation.
Play sports and eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and proteins.
Maintain a healthy body weight.
Avoiding exposure to ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation, and exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution, including exposure to radon.
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