Lung cancer is ranked as one of the deadliest in the world and, in the case of Mexico, ranks fifth with over 7,000 deaths per year. However, in the last ten years, “targeted drugs offer more suitable treatments”. this disease, the medical director of Amgen México, Max Saráchaga, told EFE.
<img width="1170" height="752" class="attachment-newpress-featured-large size-newpress-featured-large wp-post-image lazyload" alt="Medicamentos dirigidos, aliados para tratar el cáncer de pulmón en México" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" data-attachment-id="211127" data-permalink="https://efesalud.com/2544668/" data-orig-file="https://efesalud.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2544668.jpg" data-orig-size="1170,731" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="“CUERPOS …LA EXHIBICIÓN”" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="
Image of a smoker’s lung. EFE/Stefan Zaklin
” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” src=” srcset=” 1170w, 370w” data-sizes=”auto” data-eio-rwidth=”1170″ data-eio-rheight=”752″ />
Image of a smoker’s lung. EFE/Stefan Zaklin
“Now there is much more to offer to the patient such as targeted drugs, we call them that because lung tumors can have changes in their DNA, which we call mutations. We can treat these changes with different drugs, so today the prognosis is better, but it is still a serious disease that in many cases cannot be corrected,” he said.
For example, the doctor explained that for the small cell cancer (SCLC) type of lung cancer – which accounts for 15% of lung cancers – there are “drugs that help survival in a very important way, when until recently ago “a year or two, we didn’t have much to offer these patients.”
Another tool that is making great strides in the experimental healthcare sector is Artificial Intelligence (AI) since, according to the specialist, “AI can detect smaller lesions in x-rays and tomographic scans compared to the identification of the human eye ”. a benefit that contributes to “making earlier diagnoses where cancer may be curable”.
<img decoding="async" width="400" height="600" data-attachment-id="292878" data-permalink="https://efesalud.com/cancer-pulmon-mexico-retos-prevencion-diagnostico-precoz-nuevos-tratamientos/cancer-pulmon-mexico-amgen/" data-orig-file=" data-orig-size="400,600" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="cancer-pulmon-mexico-amgen" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="
Amgen Chief Medical Officer Max Saráchaga participates in the forum “World Lung Cancer Day… one of the deadliest in Mexico.” EFE/Alex Cruz
” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” alt=”lung cancer Mexico” class=”wp-image-292878 lazyload” src=” srcset=” 400w, 200w” data-sizes=”auto” data -eio-rwidth=”400″ data-eio-rheight=”600″/>Amgen’s medical director, Max Saráchaga, participates in the forum “Giornata world championship against lung cancer… one of the deadliest in Mexico.” EFE/Alex Cruz
Old age as a risk factor
For Saráchaga, these technological advances are essential for treating lung cancer and other oncological pathologies and insists on the need to continue addressing this problem with ever greater priority, considering that the population of Mexico and the world is aging and one of the main problems is the The risk for this condition is old age.
As for lung cancer – which is divided into two types, small cell (SCLC) and non-small cell (NSCLC) – there is an increase in patients, since in Mexico there are “about 14,000 new cases every year” Furthermore, according to the expert, “it is a cancer in which it is almost always diagnosed in an advanced stage”, so “the chances of recovery decrease very significantly”.
Prevention strategies
Regarding prevention strategies for this pathology, the director warned that the most important thing is “not to smoke, because the vast majority of cases occur among smokers.” He also underlined that in the North American country cooking is still done with a wood fire. and “that smoke is carcinogenic”.
However, he stressed that “tobacco is the main risk factor”, so regular users “should ideally undergo a low-radiation tomography scan every year to try to detect small lesions that can be treated”, although he reiterates that “Of Usually, when the patient arrives at the doctor, it is already in an advanced stage.”
Lung cancer does not generate signs or symptoms in the early stages, despite this, the doctor recommends paying attention when coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, as these could be reasons to contact the nearest doctor.
What recent advancements in lung cancer treatment have been made in Mexico?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Max Saráchaga, Medical Director of Amgen México
Time.news Editor: Good day, Dr. Saráchaga. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the pressing issue of lung cancer in Mexico. With over 7,000 deaths annually, it has become one of the deadliest diseases in the country. Can you start by sharing your perspective on this alarming statistic?
Dr. Max Saráchaga: Thank you for having me. Yes, lung cancer is indeed a significant public health concern in Mexico, ranking fifth in terms of mortality. The numbers remind us of the urgency to improve early detection and treatment options. While the statistics are grim, advances in targeted therapies over the past decade are changing the landscape of treatment significantly.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned targeted therapies. Could you explain how these work and how they differ from traditional treatments?
Dr. Saráchaga: Certainly! Targeted therapies are designed to directly attack cancer cells by focusing on specific genetic changes within those tumors. Many lung tumors exhibit mutations in their DNA that can be targeted by specific drugs, allowing for more personalized treatment plans compared to traditional chemotherapy, which often affects both healthy and cancerous cells indiscriminately. This not only improves survival rates but also enhances the quality of life for patients.
Time.news Editor: That’s an incredible advancement. You also mentioned small cell lung cancer (SCLC) during your discussion. How are these targeted drugs benefiting patients with this specific type?
Dr. Saráchaga: Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 15% of lung cancers and is notoriously aggressive. Recently developed drugs are making a significant impact, offering survival benefits that we didn’t have just a year or two ago. This is a huge leap, as previous options for these patients were limited. It underscores the importance of continuous research and development in oncological therapies.
Time.news Editor: Alongside these advancements, how is artificial intelligence playing a role in lung cancer detection and treatment?
Dr. Saráchaga: AI is revolutionizing cancer diagnostics. Machine learning algorithms can identify smaller lesions in x-rays and CT scans more accurately than the human eye. This capability allows for earlier diagnoses and potentially earlier interventions, which can make a significant difference in curability. As we harness these technologies, the hope is to continue moving towards a future where certain cancers can be caught and treated much earlier than before.
Time.news Editor: That sounds promising, but what do you see as the ongoing challenges in lung cancer treatment, particularly in Mexico?
Dr. Saráchaga: One major challenge is access to these innovative therapies. Even with advances in treatment, many patients lack access due to economic barriers or insufficient healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of early detection is crucial. Smoking remains a significant risk factor, but there are also non-smokers who develop lung cancer, which complicates prevention efforts.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear that education and healthcare access are pivotal. In your opinion, what steps should be taken to address these issues?
Dr. Saráchaga: We need a multi-faceted approach that includes public education campaigns about the risks of lung cancer, emphasizing the need for regular screenings, especially for high-risk populations. We must also work towards improving healthcare access and affordability so that groundbreaking treatments are available to all patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Saráchaga, thank you for sharing your insights today. The intersection of technology and medicine in the fight against lung cancer is truly captivating, and it gives us hope for a better future in oncological care.
Dr. Saráchaga: Thank you for having me. Together, with continued research, education, and better accessibility to treatments, we can combat lung cancer and save more lives.