Fighting smoking is still the best way to prevent lung cancer

Unpublished study, analysis of survival in patients with lung cancer treated by SUS, found that not smoking is still the most important measure to prevent the disease. According to the study author, Carlos Philipe Barbosa Polato, linked to the Research Group on Health Economics, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), cigarette addiction is closely linked to the onset of lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for disease development. In general, incidence rates in a given country reflect their consumption of cigarettes, "he says.

According Polato, "it is estimated that 80% to 90% incidence of lung cancer is attributed to smoking. This is alarming because, in Brazil, this variety of cancer is the second most that affects men and fifth in women. He explains that even underwent surgery and chemotherapy or radio, about 8 out of 10 patients die within five years.

Besides the cigarette, another factor that competes for lung cancer causes so many deaths is the difficulty in accomplishing its early diagnosis. There are no effective measures for early diagnosis in large populations, unlike the case with breast cancer, which can be detected by mammography or touch. It follows from this that most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages, resulting in a palliative treatment in most cases, says the author.

On the basis of the campaign against lung cancer is tougher legislation for trade and consumption of tobacco, in addition to preparation and recovery professionals in Basic Health Units with creating a career plan that encourages internalization of doctors across territory. Combining prevention, diagnosis and more effective treatment, you can win this war, for now, we're losing, Polato completed.

<i> information UFMG </ i>

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