Non-smokers still have a risk of lung cancer

According to the Vietnam Lung Association, a recent consensus of 19 experts in the Asian region published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology recommends a low-dose CT scan (using a computer with low-dose X-rays to create a series of images) that can detect abnormalities in the lungs , including tumors.

Không hút thuốc lá vẫn có nguy cơ mắc ung thư phổi - Ảnh 1. — Images of tumors and lung metastases in lung cancer patients

The recommendations are the result of extensive discussions among experts from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, with funding from the Lung Ambition Alliance (LAA). The experts also recommend combining smoking cessation programs with lung cancer screening programs.

The experts also noted that although smoking is the leading risk factor, lung cancer also accounts for a significant proportion of non-smokers. Studies show that the rate of lung cancer patients who do not smoke is higher in Asia than in Europe and North America. In addition, non-smokers in Asia tend to be diagnosed with lung cancer at a younger age than current and former smokers.

Therefore, it is necessary to support high-risk patients to access screening procedures by considering factors such as genetics and demographics, not just those who smoke.

Screening should be performed when persistent cough does not respond to medication.

Associate Professor - Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, President of the Vietnam Lung Association, assessed that the key to reducing the mortality rate due to lung cancer in Vietnam and Asia is early detection and diagnosis, when highly effective treatment regimens can be prescribed. Early detection of lung cancer helps patients have a higher chance of being cured.

According to K Hospital, about 10 - 13% of smokers are at risk of lung cancer with a latent period of 30 - 40 years from the time they start smoking until the disease appears.

In addition, exposure to radon gas, air pollution from heavy metal industries, and environmental tobacco smoke have been linked to the occurrence of lung cancer; air pollution is also a risk factor.

Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography is recommended because of its low cost, reduced risk of radiation exposure compared with conventional CT, and reduced mortality from lung cancer due to early detection.

Through actual treatment, an oncologist from the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (Bach Mai Hospital) noted that lung cancer in young patients is often diagnosed at a later stage and has a worse prognosis than in older patients.

Therefore, for those with risk factors such as regular tobacco use, family history of lung cancer, work environment exposed to radiation, toxic dust... or when having suspicious symptoms such as coughing up blood, prolonged cough that does not respond to cough suppressants, they need to go for screening to detect the disease early.

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