- Smoking Tobacco is the leading cause of Lung Cancer in Chandigarh
- Men in Chandigarh more prone to Lung Cancer compared to Women
NewZNew (Chandigarh) : In the wake of the Lung Cancer trend in India, Dr. Jatin Sarin, Consultant Cancer Specialist at Chandigarh Cancer and Diagnostic Centre addressed a media briefing to increase awareness on the growing Lung Cancer cases and deaths in Chandigarh, the need for timely, appropriate diagnosis and the strong potential of the novel Targeted Therapy with personalized medicine for successful treatment and cure.
Highlighting incidence and causes of Lung Cancer in Chandigarh, Dr. Jatin Sarin said, “In the past year, I have observed an increase in lung cancer cases and significant increase in lung cancer deaths in Chandigarh. Lung Cancer incidence is observed to be higher in men compared to women. Smoking tobacco and exposure to cancer causing agents such as asbestos, radon, air pollution and diesel exhaust have been major causes of Lung Cancer in Chandigarh. The risk of acquiring Lung Cancer can be controlled by preventing exposure to these carcinogens.”
According to Globocan 2012, last updated study on Lung Cancer, incidence rate is 70,000 cases and mortality rate is 63,000 cases. Lung Cancer is the second most common cancer among men in India. Smoking tobacco continues to be the major contributor to the disease. Whatever be the prevalence, lung cancer, it is giant killer and is responsible for maximum cancer related mortality all over the world.
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs forming one of the three types of tumors – Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) , Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Lung Carcinoid tumor. NSCLC is the commonest variety with maximum incidence.
Stressing on the importance of timely diagnosis of Lung Cancer, Dr. Jatin Sarin said, “In a country where tuberculosis is rampant, it is common to find a lung cancer patient being treated for tuberculosis initially. Most patients in Chandigarh are diagnosed in advanced stages, where cure is not possible but only treatment to prolong survival. Appropriate, early diagnosis is important for successful treatment and cure. If any of the signs and symptoms are evident, it is advisable to visit your doctor. CT scan, Tissue biopsy and Sputum cytology are the recommended diagnostics tests for lung cancer.
Timely diagnosis offers the only chance of cure as surgery is possible. Presently only 10% of lung cancer undergo surgery because of dearth of early detection and diagnosis.
Commenting on the promises of Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer, Dr. Sarin said, “Targeted therapy with personalized medicine is increasingly and successfully being used for the treatment of advanced cancers. The targeted drugs work much better compared to the standard chemotherapy drugs. Advanced medical research on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) has led to the development of a Targeted therapy which potentially cures Lung Cancer. Research on other forms of Cancer is ongoing and encouraging. Targeted Therapy is definitely the treatment of choice in the future.”