In an interview with the Journal of Medicine and Public Health, pulmonologist Edwin Alicea clarifies that cigarettes can cause other cancers and that cigarettes are the main risk factor for lung cancer.
lung cancer It originates in the lung tissues when cells begin to multiply uncontrollably and is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women around the world.
The most common symptoms of lung cancer there are coughs and difficulty breathing. However, care must be taken as these symptoms are associated with other lung-related diseases, therefore a thorough diagnosis must be made.
“Cigarettes are the cause of almost 90% of lung cancer,” said the pulmonologist.
Others risk factors to suffer from cancer is exposure to radiation, asbestos, pulmonary fibrosis, among others. In addition, from a genetic point of view, there are factors such as obesity that can increase the risk of suffering from this disease.
Prevalence lung cancer has grown in the United States, even surpassing other cancers, and in Puerto Rico, research has shown that the island smokes less than in the United States.
“The law that was passed in 2008, which bans cigarette smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars, among others, has reduced the incidence in Puerto Rico,” the doctor said.
Prevention is very important, stop smoke as soon as possible it is essential because the chances of suffering from cancer are lower and longer if it is before the age of 30. To detect this type of cancer in recent years, a known low-dose computed tomography test has been used to help find abnormal areas in the lungs that could be cancer.
People can be treated for this cancer with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy or a combination of these treatments that are based on the stage of the disease and other factors such as the person’s general condition, lung function.
“The pulmonologist is not just about detecting cancer, we’re working on prevention, helping people stop smoke since cigarette not only does it cause lung cancer but can also cause bladder, head and neck cancer, among others.