Kolkata: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in males in the Western world and in India. It is one of the top 5 causes of cancer mortality in females as well. Naturally, there is a huge impact on resources of a family and a country due to lung cancer, says Dr. Jyotirup Goswami, Consultant-Clinical Oncologist and Head of Medical Services at Karkinos Healthcare, Kolkata.
The
main causes for Lung cancer are:
● Cigarette
Smoking is the chief etiologic factor. 80% of lung cancer deaths are
attributable to smoking. However, lung cancer can also occur in non-smokers.
● 20% of
cancers in non-smokers are also attributable to passive smoking (Environmental
Tobacco Smoke).
● Coal tar
containing PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) is the chief carcinogen.
● No form of
cigarette is safer.
● Low tar/
filter cigarettes cause coal tar deposition deeper in lungs (adenocarcinomas).
● Related with
duration>intensity of smoking (pack years). 16-fold increase in cumulative
lung cancer risk in persistent smokers; this risk is doubled for individuals
who initiate smoking before age 15.
● Smoking one
pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years increases risk of lung cancer-specific
mortality 20- to 60-fold in men, and 14- to 20-fold in women compared with
never-smokers. The risk nearly doubles if consumption persists for 40 years.
Other
causes which can also lead to Lung cancer are:
● Asbestos
(7-10 fold increased risk).
● Heavy metals
(Cadmium, Nickel, Chromium).
● Ionising
Radiation.
● No proven
influence of dietary factors.
● Air
pollution.
Air
Pollution & Lung Cancer: Air pollution is caused by fine particulate matter
from various sources, eg mines, factories, motor vehicles, burnt farmland
stubble, forest fires and construction sites. This consists of tiny airborne
particles known as PM2.5 that are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller
The International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution as a Group 1 carcinogen. The
Lancet Commission on pollution and health established that all forms of
pollution cause 43% of lung cancer deaths in the world. Air pollution alone
causes up to 29% of all lung cancer deaths.
Studies have shown a
correlation between PM2.5 exposure and mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptor gene found in human cells that are common in about half of non-smokers
with lung cancer. Sadly, 99% of the world's population is exposed to polluted
air.
Symptoms
of Lung Cancer are:
● Chronic,
persistent cough.
● Hemoptysis
(blood in cough).
● Chest pain.
● Breathlessness.
No comments:
Post a Comment