Lung cancer patients still have a chance to make a full recovery.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Lung cancer is often asymptomatic. No wonder there are so many patients lung cancer comes at an advanced stage and ultimately makes the patient’s life expectancy even thinner.
“That’s why before it’s too late, there is a need for screening and large clinical trials of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), in smokers and new smokers with a smoking history of at least 30 packs per year to determine the presence of cancer cells. cancer lungs in a person’s body,” suggested Senior Consultant Medical Oncology from Parkway Cancer Centre, Dr Wong Siew Wei in a press release received Republika.co.id, Tuesday (17/1/2023).
Carrying out early screening, he continued, showed a 20 to 26 percent reduction in lung cancer mortality in at-risk groups. “The screening strategy is only for active smokers, and there are no recommendations for passive smokers,” he explained.
Lung cancer is suspected when chest imaging reveals abnormal shadows in the lungs. Further imaging studies to accurately stage the cancer usually include a PET/CT scan and an MRI of the brain.
Doctor Wong said that although lung cancer is the cancer with the highest number of deaths, there is still hope for patients to recover, both at stage 1 and even at stage 4.
“That’s why he advises cancer patients not to be afraid of going to a cancer clinic,” he said.
Early detection allows the best chance for recovery. Even early-stage cancer has a risk of recurrence but with new treatment strategies the chance of recovery will be greater.
“Lung cancer patients still have a chance to make a full recovery, as long as they can be treated immediately with the right therapy and medication. Moreover, now there are various types of strategies and the latest treatments for the cancer healing process,” he explained.
