The lungs are the respiratory organs that provide our body with oxygen. Like every organ, the lungs are composed of many cells. These cells divide and multiply as needed to ensure the lungs can function normally.
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled and unnecessary proliferation of cells derived from structurally normal lung tissue, forming a mass (tumor) within the lung. The resulting mass initially grows in its immediate environment and, in later stages, spreads to surrounding tissues or, through the circulation, to distant organs (such as the liver, bone, brain), causing damage. This spread is called metastasis.
Akciğer kanseri başlıca iki alt türde görülmektedir: Küçük Hücreli Dışı Akciğer Kanseri (KHDAK) Tüm akciğer kanseri vakalarının yaklaşık %85’ini oluşturur ve küçük hücreli tiplere göre daha yavaş ilerler. Küçük Hücreli Akciğer Kanseri (KHAK)
Although less common, it is a rapidly progressive and aggressive tumor type. It can quickly spread to tissues surrounding the lungs and to distant organs (liver, bone, brain, etc.) via the circulatory system.
Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common in women. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, which is the global cancer database created by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 2.5 million new lung cancer cases were seen in the world in one year.,
1.8 million people died from lung cancer.
When looking at the risk factors for lung cancer;
Using tobacco products such as cigarettes, pipes, hookahs, cigars, etc.,
Exposure to cigarette smoke (passive smoking),
Environmental and Occupational Exposures (Exposure to asbestos, arsenic, chromium, etc.),
Being exposed to intense radiation for any reason,
Living in areas with high air pollution,
Having a family history of lung cancer.
Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 70 of which are known cancer-causing substances. Not only cigarettes but also newer products like cigars, pipes, and e-cigarettes increase the risk of lung cancer. The toxic compounds in tobacco smoke cause DNA damage in the bronchial epithelium, triggering tumor development.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, 1.3 million people die each year from diseases related to secondhand tobacco smoke (passive smoking). The WHO emphasizes that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and that there is no "safe level" of exposure. Therefore, smoke-free airspace practices and measures to reduce indoor exposure not only reduce active tobacco use but also reduce the cancer burden in society.
Ülkemizde erkeklerde trakea, bronş ve akciğer kanserleri 49,3/100.000 görülme sıklığı ile en sık görülen kanserler arasında ilk sırada yer almakta; kadınlarda ise 10,8/100.000 görülme sıklığı ile dördüncü sırada bulunmaktadır. En güncel verilere göre ülkemizde her yıl yaklaşık 30 bin kişi akciğer kanseri tanısı almakta, 23 bin vatandaşımız bu hastalık nedeniyle hayatını kaybetmektedir. Vakaların yalnızca %17’si erken evrede saptanabilirken, %24,3’ü bölgesel, %58,6’sı ise uzak organ yayılımı evresinde tanı almaktadır. Tanı alma medyan yaşı 65’tir.
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
Cough that does not go away or gets worse,
Coughing up blood or bloody sputum,
Chest pain that increases when breathing, coughing or laughing,
Loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue and weight loss,
Hoarseness,
Shortness of breath,
Recurrent or persistent attacks of bronchitis and/or pneumonia.
Detecting lung cancer at an early stage, before it's small and spreads, increases the likelihood of successful treatment. However, lung cancer symptoms often don't appear until the disease is advanced. Even if lung cancer presents some symptoms, they're often overlooked because they're thought to be the result of infection or smoking, leading to a delayed diagnosis.
The lung cancer diagnosis process includes physical examination, chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bronchoscopy, and biopsy. Additionally, molecular testing to identify genetic mutations and biomarkers plays a crucial role in making an accurate diagnosis and planning personalized treatment.
The treatment approach is determined by the stage and location of the disease, the patient's age, and comorbidities. This process requires a multidisciplinary team and includes options such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
Tütün ve tütün ürünlerinin kullanımına atfedilen akciğer kanseri oranının erkeklerde %89,9 kadınlarda ise %43 olduğu belirtilmektedir. Bu istatistikler dikkate alındığında, ülkemizde bir yıl içerisinde ortaya çıkan yaklaşık 25 bin akciğer kanseri vakasının önlenebilir olduğu söylenebilir. Tütün ürünlerini bırakmak, her yaşta ve her dönemde sağlık açısından önemli faydalar sağlar. Sigaranın bırakılmasından 10 yıl sonra akciğer kanseri riski, içmeye devam eden bir bireye kıyasla yaklaşık %50 oranında azalır.
Citizens who use tobacco products can benefit from the services offered by our Ministry to help them break free from this addiction. These units provide free access to scientifically proven medication therapies.
Lung cancer symptoms are often vague, leading to late diagnosis. Preventing and detecting lung cancer at an early stage is possible through awareness, early diagnosis, and healthy lifestyle habits.
On the occasion of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, our citizens;
Not using tobacco and tobacco products,
Supporting smoke-free airspace practices,
It is of great importance that they adopt healthy living habits.
Early diagnosis of cancer saves lives.
Realize it, don't be late: early diagnosis saves lives.
Breathe, notice, take action.
Your breath is smoke-free, your life is healthy.