Increase in lung cancer cases among women

It has been stated that there has been a significant increase in lung cancer cases among women in recent times, and the biggest reason for this is the increasing smoking habit among women.

Pointing out that the habit of smoking among women is increasing, Prof. Dr. Celal Tekinbaş, Chief Physician at Karadeniz Technical University (KTÜ) Farabi Hospital and Head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, said that lung cancer cases are seen more frequently in the Black Sea Region, as they are in every region.

Tekinbaş said, “The leading cause of cancer deaths in the world is lung cancer. Lung cancer is seen more frequently in certain regions. Our region is one of these regions. The most important cause of cancer is smoking. With the increase in smoking habits, we are now seeing more cancer cases in women as well. Rather than an increase in the number of cancer rates, cancers are now being diagnosed earlier. Previously, there were people who died without knowing they had cancer, but now, with the widespread availability of hospitals and many developments such as tomography, PET scans, and biopsy procedures, people know what their illness is. Lung cancer also holds an important place among the groups of diseases that are now being diagnosed. We are encountering more patients we can operate on because a diagnosis can be made earlier.”

"SMOKING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES DOES NOT PROTECT US FROM CANCER"

Noting that he does not agree with the claims that electronic cigarettes cause less cancer, Tekinbaş said, “Habits that negatively affect lung health should be avoided. Smoking is at the top of this list. The rumor that electronic cigarette use causes less cancer has started to be used a lot by many people, but as it has been determined, it is one of the biggest factors that cause lung cancer. Smoking electronic cigarettes does not protect us from cancer. To protect lung health, one must stay away from possible pollutants and radioactive materials. If we are exposed to dust that will negatively affect our lung health in our workspace in any way, we should work by wearing an appropriate mask. We should do all kinds of sports to increase the capacity of our lungs and heart. Walking is especially very important. It is also important in terms of being able to be done within every age group. This is also one of the important factors for the protection of our lung health.”

"ONE CAN CONTINUE THEIR LIFE WITH A SINGLE LUNG"

Stating that a patient can continue their life with a single lung after one has been removed by surgery due to cancer or a different disease, Tekinbaş said, “We can very easily remove one lung, provided that the other lung is healthy. We can remove the entire left lung and a part of the right lung, provided that we perform the tests beforehand. We do this to determine how much the remaining lung will be sufficient for the patient. We do this with the data we have at a level of evidence that is tangible and visible. We can very easily remove one lung. KTÜ Farabi Hospital has an important place in Turkey regarding lung cancer and lung surgeries. From time to time, we perform surgery to remove one lung of several patients a week. There is a difference between having two lungs and one lung in terms of respiratory functions, but we already operate on those who can maintain their normal lives. These patients do not experience any problems in maintaining their normal lives or continuing their lives.”

News Source: İHA