Lung Cancer Still a Major Issue in Italy
Lung cancer continues to be a significant health concern in Italy, remaining the second most frequent neoplasm in men and the third in women. Not only is it a prevalent form of cancer, but it also causes a higher number of deaths than any other type of cancer. The real challenge with lung cancer lies in its difficulty to detect in its early stages due to the way the disease presents.
One of the major issues is that signs and symptoms of lung cancer can be non-specific and subtle, causing them to often be confused with other common illnesses, such as the flu or bronchitis. Unfortunately, these signs may only appear when the cancer is already in an advanced state, making treatment more difficult.
There are seven main warning signs that are typically taken into consideration: persistent cough, catarrh with streaks of bright red blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, weight loss, and weakness.
The main causes of lung cancer in Italy are primarily linked to smoking, atmospheric, urban, and domestic pollution, as well as familial history. Smoking accounts for 80% of lung cancer cases, with passive smoking also increasing the risk for non-smokers. Atmospheric and domestic pollution, as well as genetics, are also contributing risk factors for lung cancer.
Treatment options for lung cancer vary depending on the type and stage of the tumor. In small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the standard approach typically involves chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with surgery being rarely performed. On the other hand, surgery remains the main standard of care for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when possible. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy are also available for advanced or metastatic stages of lung cancer.
Targeted therapy, which is aimed at specific genetic alterations, has shown significant progress in the development of personalized medicine for lung cancer. This approach not only increases the effectiveness of the therapy but also significantly improves the patients’ quality of life, making it an advanced frontier in lung cancer treatment.
The focus on early detection, lifestyle changes, and innovative treatment options continues to be crucial in the fight against lung cancer in Italy.