Medical societies, patients and other entities that make up the Lung Ambition Alliance, which works for lung cancer survival, have insisted on calling for public policies that reduce pollution because it is a risk factor that increases the incidence of this tumor and causes 9% of lung cancer cases. deceased.
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Barcelona in a cloud of pollution in December 2023. EFE/Quique García
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Barcelona in a cloud of pollution in December 2023. EFE/Quique García
“There is more and more evidence that, starting from a certain level of suspended particles, pollution can be an agent that contributes to the development of this type of cancer, even in non-smoking people”, they underline after the celebration of the fourth edition of “Together Now” organized by this alliance against lung cancer.
Lung cancer is currently the second type of cancer with the highest incidence worldwide and the first in terms of mortality. It is estimated that every 20 minutes a person dies from this disease.
In Spain, the estimated lung cases for this year amount to 32,768, according to the “Cancer figures in 2024” report from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology.
Screening to reduce mortality
According to experts, public health policies with preventive actions, such as the fight against pollution, must be integrated with screening programs that allow early diagnosis of lung cancer to increase survival rates and which are currently not implemented in the health system public.
In a patient diagnosed at stage IA, five-year survival can exceed 90%, while in stage IV it can be less than 10%. Therefore, early diagnosis is significantly important for lung cancer patients, notes Lung Ambition Alliance.
According to several studies cited in the statement, lung cancer screening could reduce overall mortality by between 6.7% and 20% and mortality attributable to lung cancer by between 20% and 39%.
The CASSANDRA (Cancer Screening, Smoking Cessation and Respiratory Assessment) project, currently being tested in some hospital centres, aims to demonstrate the feasibility, viability and cost-effectiveness of these lung cancer programs in Spain.
To achieve this goal, the program combines primary prevention, through smoking cessation, and secondary prevention, with screening programs using low-dose radiation computed tomography for smokers and ex-smokers who meet the inclusion criteria.
This is an initiative promoted by the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) in which 39 hospitals and primary care centers from 16 autonomous communities participate.
<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="537" data-attachment-id="360407" data-permalink="https://efesalud.com/polucion-cancer-pulmon-prevencion-lung-alliance/cancer-pulmon-impacto-economico-infografia/" data-orig-file="" data-orig-size="1429,750" 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-impacto-economico-infografía" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="
Infographic courtesy of Lung Ambition Alliance
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Fight against tobacco
Reducing tobacco consumption in the population is another priority preventive measure since smoking is the cause of 90% of lung cancers.
Laureano Molinsnational coordinator of Lung Ambition Alliance and consultant of the Thoracic Surgery Service of the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, explains that 80% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, more than half in stage IV, limiting the possibilities of treatment.
“We ask the administrations – he indicates – to proceed with the implementation of all preventive measures that allow us to combat risk factors, mainly tobacco and its new forms of sale or pollution, but also to identify these tumors as soon as possible . possible with screening, widely demonstrated.”
During the event, the document “Recommendations for the development of an Integrated Lung Cancer Care Process” was presented, a guide from the Lung Ambition Alliance which aims to improve and unify the care patients receive, ensuring a global approach from diagnosis to treatment .
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Lung Cancer Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re discussing a pressing public health issue: lung cancer and its alarming correlation with air pollution. We’re joined by Dr. Maria Lopez, a leading oncologist and member of the Lung Ambition Alliance. Dr. Lopez, thank you for being here.
Dr. Maria Lopez: Thank you for having me. It’s important to shed light on this critical issue.
Editor: Let’s dive into the heart of the matter. The Lung Ambition Alliance has emphasized the need for public policies to combat pollution, as it’s linked to about 9% of lung cancer cases. Can you expand on how pollution contributes to lung cancer?
Dr. Lopez: Absolutely. Recent studies have shown a growing body of evidence suggesting that even low levels of suspended particles in the air can significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer, even among non-smokers. This is concerning, given that lung cancer is already the second most common cancer globally and accounts for the highest mortality rates.
Editor: That brings us to the statistics. In Spain alone, there are over 32,000 projected lung cancer cases this year. What does this mean for public health initiatives?
Dr. Lopez: It underscores the urgent necessity for comprehensive public health policies that address both pollution and the need for early screening. Current data show that if lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, particularly stage IA, the five-year survival rate can exceed 90%. However, if diagnosed at stage IV, the survival drastically drops to less than 10%. This highlights the importance of integrating pollution control and screening programs.
Editor: Speaking of screening, there seems to be a gap in current public health systems regarding lung cancer screening. What are the potential benefits of implementing these programs?
Dr. Lopez: Several studies indicate that effective lung cancer screening programs could reduce overall mortality by anywhere from 6.7% to 20%. Mortality specifically due to lung cancer could decrease by as much as 39%. Early detection through low-dose computed tomography can make a substantial difference, especially for high-risk groups like smokers and ex-smokers.
Editor: That’s fascinating. Can you tell us about the CASSANDRA project and how it ties into these efforts?
Dr. Lopez: The CASSANDRA project is an innovative initiative that aims to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening in Spain. It’s a collaborative effort involving 39 hospitals and primary care centers. We’re combining primary prevention—such as smoking cessation campaigns—with secondary prevention through screening programs. This dual approach could not only save lives but also prove economically viable in the long run.
Editor: Given the critical nature of these programs, what are the barriers to implementing such initiatives effectively?
Dr. Lopez: There are several barriers, including public awareness, funding, logistics in the healthcare system, and sometimes resistance from policymakers. The integration of lung cancer screening within the standard healthcare model is still limited in many regions, and urgent advocacy is needed to prioritize these health measures.
Editor: It’s clear that we have a lot of work ahead of us. If our audience takes away one message from this interview, what would you want it to be?
Dr. Lopez: I would say that it’s essential for both the public and policymakers to recognize the link between environmental factors such as air pollution and health outcomes like lung cancer. Advocacy for cleaner air and early screening programs can significantly enhance survival rates and overall public health.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lopez, for your insights on this critical issue. It’s clear that tackling lung cancer requires a multi-faceted approach, from recognizing risks due to pollution to implementing effective screening programs.
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for providing this platform to discuss such an important topic. Awareness is the first step to change.
Editor: Indeed. Readers, stay informed, advocate for change, and let’s work together to reduce the impact of lung cancer. Thank you for joining us today!