Understand the general features of lung cancer in Brazil

An unprecedented survey launched on Wednesday (26th) revealed the profile of Lung cancer in Brazil
. The data shows that most Brazilians are unaware of the severity of the disease: only 15% report the severity of the disease, compared to 24% of the total in Latin America.

Another disturbing fact is the number of cigarettes Brazilians smoke per day: 39% smoke 11 or more cigarettes per day (higher than the 27% average in Latin America), 17% smoke every day and 25% smoke at least three times a week. . Smoking (active or passive) is associated with 80% of cases of the disease.

The survey showed that 28% of Brazilians smoke cigarettes, lower than the average of 38% in Latin America, but smoke more. That is, it is not the country with the highest proportion of smokers, but the highest proportion of people who smoke more than 11 cigarettes a day.

According to the oncologist at Beneficência Portuguesa in São Paulo, Suellen Nastri Castro, the data are impressive.

“Although the number of smokers is lower than in Latin America, I still imagine we would have a lower percentage, since there are other studies that have shown that there has been a significant reduction. About 30% of people still smoke and when they smoke more than 11 cigarettes, This is worrying,” the doctor said.

For her, stress may be to blame. “We currently live in a world where everyone is anxious and stressed and works a lot and cigarettes have this problem a lot, and smoke a lot when they are stressed. Another issue is related to the lifestyle of Brazilians and globalists today, we are on the edge of stress and this is making people less concerned with health,” said a doctor Oncologist, who co-launched the research conducted by the biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, in São Paulo.

The survey also showed that 87% in Brazil make at least one preventive visit per year (general check-up). In terms of physical activity, 56% exercise at least three times a week.

The survey sample was 2,179 people in the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. People aged 40 to 49 (61%), 50 to 59 (30%) interviewed; 60 to 69 (8%) and 70 to 79 (1%).

_{Lung cancer visualization}

Lung cancer is the deadliest in Brazil, with about 12 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, according to data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca). Worldwide, the disease causes 1.8 million victims annually, with 86,000 deaths in Latin American countries alone.

The president of the Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida, Marlene Oliveira, advocates having annual awareness campaigns to warn about prevention and symptoms of the disease.

“We need more effective campaigns, but for that we need political will, as we can have permanent preventive campaigns in our country and not just wait for the ‘colorful’ months. [como outubro rosa e novembro azul] For us to spread the message of the quality of information and the importance of people taking care of their health, lung cancer is no different.”

Founded 13 years ago, Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida is the only Brazilian social organization dedicated simultaneously to the two leading causes of death – cancer and cardiovascular disease – as well as extensive work related to men’s health.

_data

Regarding risk factors not associated with smoking, knowledge is low: only 8% mentioned a sedentary lifestyle; Another 8% mentioned genetics and heredity. 4% mentioned exposure to chemical agents and 5% did not even know how to cite risk factors.

Although smoking is associated with 80% of cases and is therefore the main risk factor, it was not mentioned by 23% of Brazilian participants and 25% of Latin Americans.

Knowledge of symptoms is also low: 55% mentioned respiratory problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, etc.); 42% reported lung problems (cough, dry cough, frequent cough, etc.); 17% reported different types of pain (breathing, chest, back). 15% reported fatigue and 3% weight loss.

_{fatal tumor}

Lung cancer is the deadliest tumor in Latin America, responsible for 86,000 deaths annually in the region and claimed to have about 1.8 million victims globally. In Brazil alone, the disease kills more than 28,000 people and generates approximately 30,000 new cases annually, making it one of the most common types of cancer.

The disease is recognized late in 85% of patients in Latin America, and has little chance of cure, with a 5-year survival rate in 18% of cases.

The biggest challenge is expanding early diagnosis, because when the tumor is recognized at an early stage, the five-year survival rate rises dramatically, reaching 56%.

_{Other vices}

Oncologist Soleen Nastry warns that other forms of tobacco consumption, such as cigars, pipes, hookahs, and small cigars, are also dangerous.

Hookah, cigars, and pipes cause an increase in lung, mouth, and throat cancers. All these cancers increase, even because the hookah does not have a filter, it is smoke directly in the oral cavity or in the airway. It is something that is consumed in smaller amounts, but it is still linked to lung cancer and other types of cancer, especially in the oral cavity and throat.”

_{“Take care of yourself today” campaign}

To raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, which can reflect the scenario of lung cancer in Latin America, AstraZeneca launched the “Cuide-se Hoje” campaign, created with the participation of 19 patient associations from 10 countries in the region: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic Guatemala and Panama.

The entities formed an expert council to present different facts and needs, thus contributing to the campaign that collects good information on the topic, from the patient’s point of view, and always highlighting that investing in early diagnosis can save many lives each year.

If nothing is done, the disease is estimated to reach an annual death rate of 3.01 million people in 2040 (cancer of the lung, bronchi and trachea), an increase of 67%.

Lung cancer can develop silently or with nonspecific signs and symptoms. “The more knowledgeable about the population, the more prepared we are to fight the disease,” says AstraZeneca Brasil Medical Director Marina Belhaus.

_{The most common symptoms:}

• persistent cough;

• Bloody sputum.

• Source;

• Hoarseness.

• hard breathing.

• Loss of weight and appetite.

• Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• In smokers, the usual coughing rhythm changes and attacks appear at unusual times.

_{Early detection}

As a form of prevention, medical authorities recommend not smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke and exposure to certain chemical agents, such as arsenic, asbestos, beryllium, chromium, radon, uranium, nickel, cadmium, vinyl chloride, and 2 chloromethyl ether.

Early detection can be done by clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and radiological examinations of patients who show signs and symptoms suggestive of the disease. In the absence of signs and symptoms, screening is recommended in groups that have a higher chance of developing the disease, such as people who have smoked at least one pack a day for 30 years or more.

_{real stories}

As part of the campaign, AstraZeneca has published a series of videos with testimonials from patients and doctors, recorded in different countries in Latin America, to show the reality of those living with the disease. Each story takes a different perspective on lung cancer and helps to understand its complexities and implications.

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